Federal Jury Convicts Honduran National for Alien Smuggling in Del Rio

DEL RIO, Texas - A federal jury in Del Rio convicted a Honduran national this week on charges of alien smuggling.

According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, in October 2024, Jerson Alberto Rivera-Kelly, 37, who was then in the United States as a lawful permanent resident was observed by a U.S. Border Patrol (USBP) agent driving an SUV south on Highway 2083 near Comstock, approximately 20 miles from the U.S. border with Mexico. Other USBP agents in the area at that time were searching for a group of five suspected illegal aliens. Rivera-Kelly was pulled over and five occupants were found in the vehicle. All of the occupants were attempting to conceal themselves inside his vehicle. The five individuals were determined to be illegal aliens.

Rivera-Kelly was indicted in November 2024 for one count of conspiracy to transport aliens and one count of illegal alien transportation for profit. The federal jury convicted him on both counts on July 21, 2025. Both charges carry penalties of up to 10 years in federal prison, up to three years of supervised release, and a maximum $250,000 fine in addition to any restitution ordered.

U.S. Attorney Justin R. Simmons for the Western District of Texas made the announcement.

USBP investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Tyler Fleming and Ashley Ellis-Dotson are prosecuting 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 other 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 Project Safe Neighborhoods.

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