Smuggler Sent to Prison

U.S. Attorney’s Office, Southern District of Texas | Press Release

A 27-year-old Pharr resident has been sentenced for conspiracy to transport undocumented aliens, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.

Anthony Lenard Williams pleaded guilty April 28, 2023.

U.S. District Judge Nelva Gonzales Ramos has now ordered Williams to serve 96 months in federal prison to be immediately followed by two years of supervised release. At the hearing, the court found that while on bond, Williams continued to coordinate the smuggling of undocumented aliens. Williams was ultimately found responsible for smuggling at least 560 undocumented aliens – only accounting for those authorities have apprehended. The court also heard that the actual number is likely in the thousands. Some of the loads of undocumented aliens included as many 115 people in the back of a tractor-trailer, at times including unaccompanied minors. In one smuggling attempt, some of the people had to be treated for severe dehydration because of the dangerous way they were transported.

Beginning in summer 2021, authorities began investigating an organization responsible for smuggling thousands of undocumented aliens in tractor-trailers. Through the course of that investigation, law enforcement identified Miguel Angel Hernandez and Williams as coordinators.

Hernandez, 26, Donna, was previously sentenced to 108 months for his role in the organization but is believed to have held a higher position of leadership than Williams.

Previously released on bond, Williams was taken into custody following the sentencing where he will remain pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.

Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation with the assistance of Border Patrol and the Texas Department of Public Safety. Assistant U.S. Attorney Barbara J. De Peña prosecuted the case.