Honduran citizen admits to deadly smuggling incident, following ICE HSI, federal partner investigation

LAREDO, Texas – A Honduran citizen plead guilty Wednesday for transporting noncitizens resulting in death, following an investigation conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) with assistance from U.S. Border Patrol (BP) and the Laredo Police Department (LPD).

Darwuin Sai Kabrera-Garsia 26, plead guilty April 28 for smuggling three noncitizens resulting in the death of one.

According to court documents, on Nov. 9, 2021, Kabrera-Garsia acted as a brush guide to smuggle three noncitizens from Mexico into the United States. Kabrera-Garsia and the group crossed Texas Highway 83. At that time, an oncoming SUV struck an individual of the group. She died at the scene.

U.S. District Judge Diana Saldana will impose sentencing at a future date. If convicted, Kabrera-Garsia faces up to life in federal prison and a possible $250,000 maximum fine.

Kabrera-Garsia remains in custody pending that hearing.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matthew Isaac and Anthony G. Brown, Southern District of Texas, are prosecuting the case.

HSI San Antonio continues to address the serious public safety threat posed by human smuggling organizations and their reckless disregard for the health and safety of the people they exploit. To report suspicious smuggling activity, you are urged to call 1-866-348-2423.

HSI is a directorate of ICE and the principal investigative arm of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), responsible for investigating transnational crime and threats, specifically those criminal organizations that exploit the global infrastructure through which international trade, travel, and finance move. HSI’s workforce of over 10,400 employees consists of more than 7,100 special agents assigned to 220 cities throughout the United States, and 80 overseas locations in 53 countries. HSI’s international presence represents DHS’s largest investigative law enforcement presence abroad and one of the largest international footprints in U.S. law enforcement.