Former member of Texas National Guard convicted of conspiring to smuggle migrants
According to a press release from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Mario Sandoval began smuggling people into the country in July 2024 after a deployment with the Texas National Guard as part of Operation Lone Star.
During the one-day trial July 21, agents with ICE's Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) presented text messages from Sandoval's phone in which he expressed needing drivers for trips from the Rio Grande Valley to destinations north of immigration checkpoints. Footage was also presented during the trial that showed him at an immigration checkpoint while sending texts about 'law enforcement and K-9 presence.'
Investigators allege that Sandoval's actions were motivated by money.
'His actions directly undermined the very mission he was deployed to support and put his fellow guard members in danger,' Chad Plantz, a special agent with HSI Houston, said.
Sandoval was discharged from the Texas National Guard in October 2024. The 27-year-old's defense argued that there was no conspiracy and that his text messages were taken out of context.
His sentencing is scheduled for October 22, and he faces up to 10 years in federal prison.
During a press conference July 2, Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said there were 4,200 National Guardsmen on state active duty in support of Operation Lone Star in Texas.
According to the Department of Justice, Sandoval's case is part of Operation Take Back America. The nationwide initiative is geared towards achieving the 'total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CNN
2 hours ago
- CNN
Fans in England celebrate Women's Euro 2025 final win
Fans in England celebrate Women's Euro 2025 final win Fans celebrate in London as England has been crowned champion of Europe for the second successive time after defeating Spain 3-1 on penalties in the Women's Euro 2025 final. 00:28 - Source: CNN Friend describes pastor's ICE detention CNN's Victor Blackwell speaks to the family friend of a detained pastor, Daniel Fuentes Espinal. Espinal, who fled Honduras 24 years ago to escape poverty and violence, is waiting to hear when he will face an immigration judge after his arrest this week by Immigration and Customs Enforcement. 01:55 - Source: CNN Farmworkers in constant fear amid ICE raids Facing constant threats of deportation, undocumented farmworkers in California must decide whether to show up to work the busy harvest season or stay safe from ICE. CNN's Julia Vargas Jones heads to Ventura County where she speaks to worried farmers and their increasingly fearful laborers. 02:13 - Source: CNN Trump rails against windmills again President Donald Trump urged European leaders to 'stop the windmills' when reporters asked him questions at the airport in Glasgow, Scotland. This isn't the first time in recent memory that the president has directed his ire at the renewable energy source. 01:00 - Source: CNN Investigators share details of how hard Xana Kernodle fought Kohberger CNN's Jean Casarez asked two top law enforcement officials in Moscow, Idaho about Xana Kernodle's fight against Bryan Kohberger, with over 50 reported stab wounds. Officials shared that Kernodle, who was up at the time, "fought hard" for her life as Kohberger attacked her. 00:49 - Source: CNN Investigators reveal findings from Kohberger's phone CNN's Jean Casarez sat down with Idaho State Police lead investigator on the Bryan Kohberger case, Lt. Darren Gilbertson, who shared details about what was found on Kohberger's phone during the investigation. Gilbertson sheds light on the Kohberger investigation, including how police found screenshots and pictures of news coverage of the attack on Kohberger's phone. 02:07 - Source: CNN Why are Thailand and Cambodia fighting? Tensions are rising between Thailand and Cambodia over a border dispute that dates back to 1907. CNN's Will Ripley explains how the conflict has escalated. 01:32 - Source: CNN CNN reports from Gaza aid crossing CNN's Nic Robertson is on the scene at the Kerem Shalom border crossing as aid agencies warn of rampant hunger caused by Israel's blockade of Gaza. Gaza's health ministry said on Tuesday that 900,000 children are going hungry, and 70,000 already show signs of malnutrition. Israel denies it is at fault and accuses Hamas of 'engineering' food shortages. 01:39 - Source: CNN Almost 50 missing as plane crashes in Russia Dozens of civilians are feared dead, including children, after a Soviet era passenger jet crashed in Russia's far east Amur Region. Burning wreckage was discovered by rescuers just 10 miles (16 kilometers) from the Tynda airport, the plane's destination. 00:30 - Source: CNN Erin Burnett on the significance of Trump knowing he's in the Epstein files CNN's Erin Burnett explains how reports that President Trump was briefed that he is named in the Epstein files shine a light on his recent denials of that exact claim. 02:13 - Source: CNN Judge declines to release Epstein grand jury documents A Florida federal judge declined to release additional grand jury documents from the criminal investigation into Jeffrey Epstein, marking the first roadblock in the Justice Department's efforts to quell the public backlash over the handling of the case. CNN's Evan Perez reports. 02:43 - Source: CNN Bryan Kohberger sentenced to life in prison Bryan Kohberger has been sentenced to life in prison without parole for the murders of four University of Idaho students. 01:29 - Source: CNN Fans pay tribute to Ozzy Osbourne Fans have gathered in Ozzy Osbourne's hometown to pay tribute to the former Black Sabbath singer, who died yesterday at the age of 76. One of them told CNN's Salma Abdelaziz that Osbourne will 'live on forever in his music.' 01:07 - Source: CNN Hot Chinese brands are coming to America Chinese brands like Luckin Coffee, Pop Mart, and HEYTEA are expanding in the United States, despite the ongoing trade war. CNN's Vanessa Yurkevich and Marc Stewart report from two different continents on why the companies covet American customers. 02:10 - Source: CNN Metal legend Ozzy Osbourne dies at 76-years-old Ozzy Osbourne, the hellraising frontman of Black Sabbath and reality TV star, has died aged 76. CNN's Stephanie Elam looks back at the legendary career as the Godfather of Heavy Metal. 03:05 - Source: CNN Newly uncovered photos show Jeffrey Epstein attended Trump's wedding in 1993 Photos from Trump's 1993 wedding and video footage from 1999 Victoria's Secret fashion show shed light on Trump-Epstein relationship. CNN's Andrew Kaczynski has the story. 01:31 - Source: CNN Missing child case from 46 years ago reopened A federal appeals court overturned the verdict of Pedro Hernandez, the bodega worker who was found guilty in 2017 of kidnapping and murdering Etan Patz in 1979. Patz was 6 years old when he disappeared on the first day he was allowed to walk alone to his school bus stop in New York City. 01:50 - Source: CNN US citizen among Druze executed in Syria Hosam Saraya, a 35-year-old Syrian-American from Oklahoma, was among eight men, all family members, rounded up and killed in an execution-style attack amid an outbreak of sectarian violence in Syria this month. The violence flared between Syrian Druze groups and Bedouin tribes in the Druze-majority Suwayda province. Video geolocated by CNN shows a group of men, Saraya included, being marched to their death. 02:04 - Source: CNN Epstein's brother vividly details relationship between Trump and Epstein Jeffrey Epstein's brother, Mark, tells CNN's Erin Burnett about his brother's 'very close' friendship with Donald Trump in the 1990s. 02:01 - Source: CNN Stephen Colbert addresses 'The Late Show' cancellation 'Cancel culture has gone too far,' Stephen Colbert told the audience as he began his first post-cancellation episode of 'The Late Show.' The host went on to fire back at Trump's Truth Social post celebrating the announcement by CBS. The episode also featured cameos by late night talk show hosts including Jimmy Fallon, Jon Stewart, John Oliver and Seth Meyers. 01:24 - Source: CNN Fire tornado rips through Turkish forest Turkey's forestry ministry has released video of a fire tornado tearing through the country's woodland. Hundreds of wildfires have gripped Turkey this summer, as well as Greece and other Mediterranean countries. 00:33 - Source: CNN Breonna Taylor's mother speaks out on officer's sentencing CNN's Laura Coates speaks with Tamika Palmer, Breonna Taylor's mother, about the sentencing of former Louisville police officer Brett Hankison. He was given three years in prison for using excessive force during the deadly 2020 Breonna Taylor raid. 01:45 - Source: CNN
Chicago Tribune
3 hours ago
- Chicago Tribune
Suspect in ‘ICE rules' vandalism in Little Village in custody, police say
A 38-year-old man was in custody Sunday for allegedly spray painting three buildings in Little Village with swastikas and 'ICE rules' graffiti, police sources said. The man turned himself in to authorities after he saw still surveillance images of himself in media reports related to the graffiti, a police source said. The man does not have a previous criminal record in Illinois, according to his arrest report. Owners of the grocery store La Fruteria and the staff at two community organizations in the predominantly Mexican neighborhood found their buildings vandalized between July 19 and July 20. Police released images and a description of the suspect late Friday night. Surveillance cameras showed he had short black hair and wore a black T-shirt with four squared logos on the front, blue denim pants and black gym shoes with white soles, police said. One of the buildings vandalized belonged to the nonprofit Latinos Progresando, which provides community services including legal services and education on immigration matters. Chief Programs Officer Nubia Willman said their CEO contacted police to document the crime and then they washed off the swastika as soon as they could Saturday morning. 'There is a purpose when you use a swastika. That is a specific symbol with an intent to create intimidation and fear,' Willman said. 'Our immigrant community, our Mexican community, Latino community, has really been targeted lately. And so to come to a predominantly Mexican neighborhood and graffiti with a criminal or hate symbol, you can't really do anything but assume an intent to create fear.' Police Department representatives said Sunday the investigation into the man was still underway.
CNN
5 hours ago
- CNN
Five shady things you didn't know about Epstein's plea deal
Five shady things you didn't know about Epstein's plea deal CNN's Jake Tapper shares five shady things you probably didn't know about Jeffrey Epstein's plea deal. 02:09 - Source: CNN Friend describes pastor's ICE detention CNN's Victor Blackwell speaks to the family friend of a detained pastor, Daniel Fuentes Espinal. Espinal, who fled Honduras 24 years ago to escape poverty and violence, is waiting to hear when he will face an immigration judge after his arrest this week by Immigration and Customs Enforcement. 01:55 - Source: CNN Farmworkers in constant fear amid ICE raids Facing constant threats of deportation, undocumented farmworkers in California must decide whether to show up to work the busy harvest season or stay safe from ICE. CNN's Julia Vargas Jones heads to Ventura County where she speaks to worried farmers and their increasingly fearful laborers. 02:13 - Source: CNN Trump rails against windmills again President Donald Trump urged European leaders to 'stop the windmills' when reporters asked him questions at the airport in Glasgow, Scotland. This isn't the first time in recent memory that the president has directed his ire at the renewable energy source. 01:00 - Source: CNN Investigators share details of how hard Xana Kernodle fought Kohberger CNN's Jean Casarez asked two top law enforcement officials in Moscow, Idaho about Xana Kernodle's fight against Bryan Kohberger, with over 50 reported stab wounds. Officials shared that Kernodle, who was up at the time, "fought hard" for her life as Kohberger attacked her. 00:49 - Source: CNN Investigators reveal findings from Kohberger's phone CNN's Jean Casarez sat down with Idaho State Police lead investigator on the Bryan Kohberger case, Lt. Darren Gilbertson, who shared details about what was found on Kohberger's phone during the investigation. Gilbertson sheds light on the Kohberger investigation, including how police found screenshots and pictures of news coverage of the attack on Kohberger's phone. 02:07 - Source: CNN Why are Thailand and Cambodia fighting? Tensions are rising between Thailand and Cambodia over a border dispute that dates back to 1907. CNN's Will Ripley explains how the conflict has escalated. 01:32 - Source: CNN CNN reports from Gaza aid crossing CNN's Nic Robertson is on the scene at the Kerem Shalom border crossing as aid agencies warn of rampant hunger caused by Israel's blockade of Gaza. Gaza's health ministry said on Tuesday that 900,000 children are going hungry, and 70,000 already show signs of malnutrition. Israel denies it is at fault and accuses Hamas of 'engineering' food shortages. 01:39 - Source: CNN Almost 50 missing as plane crashes in Russia Dozens of civilians are feared dead, including children, after a Soviet era passenger jet crashed in Russia's far east Amur Region. Burning wreckage was discovered by rescuers just 10 miles (16 kilometers) from the Tynda airport, the plane's destination. 00:30 - Source: CNN Erin Burnett on the significance of Trump knowing he's in the Epstein files CNN's Erin Burnett explains how reports that President Trump was briefed that he is named in the Epstein files shine a light on his recent denials of that exact claim. 02:13 - Source: CNN Judge declines to release Epstein grand jury documents A Florida federal judge declined to release additional grand jury documents from the criminal investigation into Jeffrey Epstein, marking the first roadblock in the Justice Department's efforts to quell the public backlash over the handling of the case. CNN's Evan Perez reports. 02:43 - Source: CNN Bryan Kohberger sentenced to life in prison Bryan Kohberger has been sentenced to life in prison without parole for the murders of four University of Idaho students. 01:29 - Source: CNN Fans pay tribute to Ozzy Osbourne Fans have gathered in Ozzy Osbourne's hometown to pay tribute to the former Black Sabbath singer, who died yesterday at the age of 76. One of them told CNN's Salma Abdelaziz that Osbourne will 'live on forever in his music.' 01:07 - Source: CNN Hot Chinese brands are coming to America Chinese brands like Luckin Coffee, Pop Mart, and HEYTEA are expanding in the United States, despite the ongoing trade war. CNN's Vanessa Yurkevich and Marc Stewart report from two different continents on why the companies covet American customers. 02:10 - Source: CNN Metal legend Ozzy Osbourne dies at 76-years-old Ozzy Osbourne, the hellraising frontman of Black Sabbath and reality TV star, has died aged 76. CNN's Stephanie Elam looks back at the legendary career as the Godfather of Heavy Metal. 03:05 - Source: CNN Newly uncovered photos show Jeffrey Epstein attended Trump's wedding in 1993 Photos from Trump's 1993 wedding and video footage from 1999 Victoria's Secret fashion show shed light on Trump-Epstein relationship. CNN's Andrew Kaczynski has the story. 01:31 - Source: CNN Missing child case from 46 years ago reopened A federal appeals court overturned the verdict of Pedro Hernandez, the bodega worker who was found guilty in 2017 of kidnapping and murdering Etan Patz in 1979. Patz was 6 years old when he disappeared on the first day he was allowed to walk alone to his school bus stop in New York City. 01:50 - Source: CNN US citizen among Druze executed in Syria Hosam Saraya, a 35-year-old Syrian-American from Oklahoma, was among eight men, all family members, rounded up and killed in an execution-style attack amid an outbreak of sectarian violence in Syria this month. The violence flared between Syrian Druze groups and Bedouin tribes in the Druze-majority Suwayda province. Video geolocated by CNN shows a group of men, Saraya included, being marched to their death. 02:04 - Source: CNN Epstein's brother vividly details relationship between Trump and Epstein Jeffrey Epstein's brother, Mark, tells CNN's Erin Burnett about his brother's 'very close' friendship with Donald Trump in the 1990s. 02:01 - Source: CNN Stephen Colbert addresses 'The Late Show' cancellation 'Cancel culture has gone too far,' Stephen Colbert told the audience as he began his first post-cancellation episode of 'The Late Show.' The host went on to fire back at Trump's Truth Social post celebrating the announcement by CBS. The episode also featured cameos by late night talk show hosts including Jimmy Fallon, Jon Stewart, John Oliver and Seth Meyers. 01:24 - Source: CNN Fire tornado rips through Turkish forest Turkey's forestry ministry has released video of a fire tornado tearing through the country's woodland. Hundreds of wildfires have gripped Turkey this summer, as well as Greece and other Mediterranean countries. 00:33 - Source: CNN Breonna Taylor's mother speaks out on officer's sentencing CNN's Laura Coates speaks with Tamika Palmer, Breonna Taylor's mother, about the sentencing of former Louisville police officer Brett Hankison. He was given three years in prison for using excessive force during the deadly 2020 Breonna Taylor raid. 01:45 - Source: CNN
