EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — U.S. Attorney Justin R. Simmons announced 261 new immigration and immigration-related cases have been filed by federal prosecutors in the Western District of Texas from April 3 to April 9.
Among those cases, a U.S citizen was arrested and charged with alien smuggling in El Paso on April 6.
U.S. Border Patrol took Samuel Castro into custody near the bridge of the Americas Port of Entry after agents observed a vehicle parked nearby and questioned its two occupants.
Castro, who was the driver of the vehicle, allegedly told agents that he intended to pick up and transport two illegal aliens and was expected to be paid $500 for each, according to the District Attorney’s Office.
He reportedly claimed to have been involved in migrant smuggling since 2023, operating as a coordinator and a driver.
In October 2024, he was convicted of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and evading arrest with a vehicle.
These cases were referred or supported by federal law enforcement partners, including ICE, U.S.
Border Patrol, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the FBI, the U.S. Marshals Service
(USMS), and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), with additional
assistance from state and local law enforcement partners.
“Indictments and criminal complaints are merely allegations, and all defendants are presumed
innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law,” according to the District Attorney’s Office.
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 This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.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.