EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — An El Paso man has been charged in connection with an alleged migrant smuggling operation after federal agents uncovered a stash house containing 16 undocumented individuals following a failed smuggling attempt, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Mexico said.

According to court records, on Feb.13, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and U.S. Border Patrol agents responded to a failed smuggling attempt involving a tractor trailer carrying 19 undocumented individuals at the Las Cruces Border Patrol Checkpoint on Interstate 25. Through interviews and investigative findings, agents identified a suspected stash house at a residence in El Paso, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said.

On Feb. 26, agents executed a search warrant at the residence and encountered approximately 16 undocumented individuals inside. All stated they were not citizens of the United States and did not possess lawful immigration documents, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said.

The individuals were transported to the El Paso Border Patrol Station for processing.

During subsequent interviews, two material witnesses identified Crescencio Pacheco Olvera, 37, as the caretaker of the stash house and as a transport driver involved in the smuggling operation. One witness stated that after illegally entering the United States through a hole cut in the international border fence near Santa Teresa, they were transported to the El Paso residence by Pacheco Olvera, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said.

Pacheco Olvera is charged with conspiracy to harbor, transport, and bring in undocumented individuals and will remain in custody pending trial, which has not yet been scheduled, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said.

If convicted of the current charge, Pacheco Olvera faces up to 10 years in prison.

HSI Las Cruces investigated this case with assistance from the U.S. Border Patrol. Assistant U.S. Attorney Tanisha V. Henson is prosecuting the case.

Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News.