Stash house operator sentenced for human smuggling following HSI Del Rio, federal partner investigation
DEL RIO, Texas — A California woman was sentenced to more than six years in federal prison for her role as a stash house operator and facilitator for a human smuggling organization following an investigation conducted by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) with help from U.S. Border Patrol’s Del Rio office.
Veronica Pech, 57, of Ridgecrest, California, was sentenced Jan. 29 to 76 months in federal prison and ordered to pay a $5,000 fine for operating several stash houses in Del Rio and facilitating harboring and transportation of noncitizens. Pech pleaded guilty in November 2021 to one count of conspiracy to harbor noncitizens.
“Not only did these human smugglers conspire to undermine our nation’s immigration laws multiple times for their own profit, but they did so by thinking they would get away with their actions,” said HSI San Antonio Special Agent in Charge Craig Larrabee. “Thanks to the outstanding teamwork between HSI and BP, these smugglers will be spending the next several years behind bars.”
According to court documents, Pech had organized pickups of many migrants from the brush, harbored them at her stash houses, and ultimately arranged for them to be transported into the interior of the United States. From Jan. 1, 2021, through March 30, 2021, Pech harbored approximately 500 noncitizens. As a leader and organizer, Pech was also responsible for the finances of the smuggling organization’s harboring operation in Del Rio, paying the rent of a stash house, paying guides and load drivers, paying for the migrants’ food and drinks, and ensuring funds were appropriated and sent to the organization’s upper leadership.
On March 30, 2021, U.S. Border Patrol agents arrested Pech and apprehended 35 noncitizens she was harboring at her main stash house.
Co-defendant Dakota Leon, 31, who operated as a load driver for the human smuggling organization, was sentenced in March 2023 to 46 months for conspiracy to transport noncitizens.
"Pech ran multiple stash houses and played many key roles in the operation of the organization that, in just three months, smuggled more than 500 migrants through Del Rio.” said U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Texas Jaime Esparza. “Special thanks to the U.S. Border Patrol criminal investigators for disrupting and dismantling a major human smuggling organization operating from Del Rio to Comanche."
“Consequences are necessary to combat transnational criminal organizations,” said U.S. Border Patrol Del Rio Chief Patrol Agent Robert Danley. “I am proud of how our strong law enforcement partnerships made this success possible and brought justice for our community.”
Assistant U.S. Attorney Brett Miner, Western 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 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 more than 8,700 employees consists of more than 6,000 special agents assigned to 237 cities throughout the United States, and 93 overseas locations in 56 countries. HSI’s international presence represents DHS’ largest investigative law enforcement presence abroad and one of the largest international footprints in U.S. law enforcement.
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