HSI, federal partner investigation results in prison sentence for local man smuggling nearly 100 noncitizens in trailer
LAREDO, Texas - A south Texas man was sentenced to two years in prison for smuggling nearly 100 noncitizens inside a tractor trailer. The investigation was conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) along the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).
Dedrick Lindell Coleman, 49, from Desoto, was sentenced June 28 by a federal judge to serve 24 months in federal prison to be immediately followed by three years of supervised release. At the hearing, the court heard additional testimony that described Coleman’s efforts to smuggle over 90 people inside a tractor trailer. In handing down the sentence, the judge considered that number of individuals and his prior criminal history. Coleman pleaded guilty April 14.
“HSI is dedicated to working closely with our law enforcement partners to effectively identify, arrest and prosecute individuals involved in smuggling people,” said Alejandro Amaro, special agent in charge for HSI San Antonio. “We will continue to utilize our broad investigative authorities to target those believed to engage in such practices who place personal profit ahead of public safety.”
According to court documents, Coleman admitted that on Jan. 14, he approached the Interstate Highway 35 Border Patrol (BP) checkpoint located on mile marker 29 while driving a tractor trailer. A K-9 unit alerted authorities to the presence of concealed humans and referred him to secondary inspection. There, authorities found a total of 95 noncitizens hidden in the trailer. All were determined to be in the United States illegally. At the time of his arrest, authorities also discovered a pistol in Coleman’s possession.
He will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined soon.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Isaac, Southern District of Texas, prosecuted 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 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.
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