Driver of second human smuggling vehicle involved in 2021 Southwest Texas incident sentenced to 10 years in federal prison following ICE Del Rio and federal partner investigation

DEL RIO, Texas - A illegal Salvadoran alien, identified as Juan Alonso Barrientos-Quintanilla, 23, was sentenced March 25 by a federal judge to serve 120 months in prison for his role in a deadly 2021 human smuggling operation. The investigation was conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement with assistance from U.S. Border Patrol Del Rio Sector and the Texas Department of Public Safety.

"The tragic loss of life in human smuggling operations is a harsh reminder of the dangerous nature of these criminal activities. ICE HSI will continue to work relentlessly to dismantle these networks and prevent further violence, ensuring that those responsible are held fully accountable,” said ICE Homeland Security Investigations San Antonio Special Agent in Charge Craig Larrabee.

According to court documents, Barrientos-Quintanilla was apprehended and identified as one of 12 illegal aliens who fled from one of two vehicles involved in a failed human smuggling operation on Highway 277 on March 15, 2021. The other vehicle, driven by Sebastian Tovar, crashed, killing eight of its nine illegal alien passengers. Following the crash, U.S. Border Patrol agents encountered the second smuggling vehicle, leading to an attempted traffic stop and, subsequently, Barrientos-Quintanilla and the other illegal aliens were fleeing on foot. All 12 illegal aliens were apprehended. Barrientos-Quintanilla initially claimed to be one of the aliens being smuggled; however, he later admitted to being the load driver of the vehicle. He pleaded guilty on July 23, 2023, to one count of aiding and abetting illegal alien transportation resulting in death.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Joshua Banister from the Western District of Texas prosecuted the case.

Source: U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE.gov)