Leaders of smuggling ring/Mission couple, sentenced to 20 years in $2.9M conspiracy
By Mia Morales,
2024-07-31
McALLEN, Texas ( ValleyCentral ) — Two Mexican nationals have been sentenced to federal prison for their involvement in money laundering and smuggling migrants within the United States, the U.S. Attorney’s Office announced.
In March, Mexican nationals Luis Enrique Moctezuma-Acosta, 37, and Scarlett Fuentes-Gavarrette, 34, pleaded guilty to laundering over $2 million in monetary instruments and smuggling migrants.
According to a news release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the couple was illegally residing in Mission.
In November 2019, an investigation revealed the LEMA smuggling organization brought in 2,459 migrants from the Southwest border regions to the northern areas of the U.S.
The organization spanned from Honduras to northern areas of the U.S. such as Boston, Massachusetts. The release states, that there was a heavy emphasis on smuggling Brazilian nationals.
On March 9, 2023, multiple search warrants were executed against Fuentes-Gavarrette and Moctezuma-Acosta’s properties, which included a car dealership and residency. During the search, authorities seized over $1.5 million in cash.
Photograph of Moctezuma-Acosta holding an undetermined amount of money. (Source: U.S. Attorney’s Office)
Luis and Scarlett alongside a Cadillac Escalade. (Source: U.S. Attorney’s Office)
Photographs of Scarlett’s and Luis’ LEME operations. (Source: U.S. Attorney’s Office)
Photo shoot capturing Luis and Scarlett. (Source: U.S. Attorney’s Office)
Seized money from the home. (Source: U.S. Attorney’s Office)
Wedding photo of the couple. (Source: U.S. Attorney’s Office)
A screenshot capturing an overview of New York with Scarlett. (Source: U.S. Attorney’s Office)
Receipt showing the purchase of the jewelry owned by the couple.(Source: U.S. Attorney’s Office)
Photograph capturing a party hosted by the couple. (Source: U.S. Attorney’s Office)
List describing the LEMA operations. (Source: U.S. Attorney’s Office)
Photograph of ring showing a queen symbol. (Source: U.S. Attorney’s Office)
Luis and Scarlett alongside a Ford Shelby pickup truck. (Source: U.S. Attorney’s Office)
Photograph showing the seized cellphones. (Source: U.S. Attorney’s Office)
Screenshot of Scarlett’s social media. (Source: U.S. Attorney’s Office)
Photograph of a ring with a plane symbol. (Source: U.S. Attorney’s Office)
Screenshot of Scarlette’s social media. (Source: U.S. Attorney’s Office)
Seized cellphones found inside the residence. (Source: U.S. Attorney’s Office)
Photograph showing the seized cellphones. (Source: U.S. Attorney’s Office)
Photograph of Luis’ and Scarlett’s matching rings. (Source: U.S. Attorney’s Office)
Receipt showing the purchase of the jewelry owned by the couple.(Source: U.S. Attorney’s Office)
Receipt showing the purchase of the jewelry owned by the couple.(Source: U.S. Attorney’s Office)
Receipt showing the purchase of the jewelry owned by the couple.(Source: U.S. Attorney’s Office)
Throughout the investigation, authorities also seized approximately $2.69 million in assets, jewelry, several pieces of real property and luxury vehicles that included a 2023 Escalade and a 2021 Ford Shelby Truck.
Chief U.S. District Judge Randy Crane ordered the couple to serve 20 years in federal prison and they are expected to face removal proceedings following their sentencing.
“Today’s prison sentence marks a significant milestone in our ongoing battle against transnational human smuggling and money laundering operations along the South Texas border,” said Alamdar S. Hamdani, U.S. Attorney.
Hamdani said this is one of the first cases in recent years where they have taken down two organizational leaders. He added, that during the trial, Fuentes-Gavarrette and Moctezuma-Acosta referred to the migrants as products and admitted to stashing them in warehouses.
Both are pending a transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility.
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