Texas National Guard soldier convicted of alien smuggling

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas - A 27-year-old Houston resident has been found guilty for conspiring to smuggle illegal aliens into the country, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei.

The jury deliberated for less than an hour before convicting Mario Sandoval following a one-day trial.

Sandoval was deployed to the U.S.-Mexico border with the Texas National Guard as part of Operation Lonestar. Following release from his orders, Sandoval remained in the Rio Grande Valley began smuggling aliens in July 2024.

The jury saw Sandoval's text messages discussing that drivers were needed for trips from the Rio Grande Valley to destinations north of the immigration checkpoint. Surveillance would later show him at the immigration checkpoint at the same time he was sending text messages about the presence of law enforcement and K-9 patrols.

The defense attempted to convince the jury no conspiracy existed, and his text messages were out of context. They did not believe those claims and found Sandoval guilty as charged.

"The conduct in this case represents an unthinkable violation of public trust," said Ganjei. "Thousands of brave and men, military and civilian alike, work tirelessly to keep our border secure. It is truly disheartening that one bad apple chose to betray his fellow soldiers and his fellow citizens by engaging in human smuggling. I wish to thank the jury for their time and attention to this matter."

Sandoval was discharged from the Texas National Guard in October 2024.

U.S. District Judge David S. Morales presided over the trial and set sentencing for Oct. 22, at which time Sandoval faces up to 10 years in federal prison.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement - Homeland Security Investigations and Department of Defense Criminal Investigative Service conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys John Lamont and Ashley Martin prosecuted the case.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department's Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces and Project Safe Neighborhood.