SAN ANTONIO — A federal judge in San Antonio sentenced Armando Garcia-Martinez, a 43-year-old Mexican national and legal permanent resident, to 195 months in prison. Garcia-Martinez pleaded guilty to conspiracy to harbor undocumented immigrants in a manner that caused serious bodily injury and placed lives in jeopardy.
Garcia-Martinez served as a recruiter for an immigrant smuggling organization. He coordinated the movement of undocumented immigrants to drivers in Eagle Pass and orchestrated an average of two to three smuggling trips per week.
The organization transported undocumented immigrants from Eagle Pass to San Antonio and Austin. In 2023, the organization transported a family, including a man, a pregnant woman, and a 7-year-old child, from San Antonio to Austin. Members of the smuggling organization held this family hostage.
The organization sexually assaulted the pregnant woman and threatened to kill the child if additional payments were not made. The organization also threatened to sell the woman's unborn child if financial demands were not met. A relative of the hostages paid at least $1,000 in July 2023 after receiving threats. The smuggling organization continued demanding payments after receiving the July 2023 payment before releasing the family.
He was indicted in April 2024 and arrested in May 2024. He pleaded guilty in November 2024. Five co-defendants also received prison sentences: Juan Antonio Flores was sentenced to 212 months, Edwin Alfredo Barrientos-Mateo to 360 months, Nelson Abilio Castro-Zelaya to 180 months, Tomas Estrada-Torres to 151 months, and Rodolfo Daniel De Hoyos to 170 months. Three additional co-defendants have pleaded guilty and are awaiting sentencing.