A Texas woman and man have been sentenced to lengthy prison terms for their roles as leaders of a human smuggling operation that unlawfully transported and harbored hundreds of undocumented migrants in the United States, while laundering millions of dollars in illicit proceeds. Erminia Serrano Piedra, AKA “Irma” or “Boss Lady,” 32, of Elgin, Texas, was sentenced to 121 months (over 10 years) in prison, while Oscar Angel Monroy Alcibar, 40, AKA Pelon, also from Elgin, received a 135-month sentence. Both defendants were also ordered to pay substantial money judgments—$942,537.00 for Serrano Piedra and $438,119.00 for Monroy Alcibar—stemming from the criminal enterprise’s ill-gotten gains.
A significant case involving a large and perilous human smuggling operation emerged from a thorough investigation conducted over several months by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Laredo, U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s (CBP) U.S. Border Patrol, and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Inspector General. A new indictment in the Southern District of Texas charged four individuals, including Serrano Piedra and Monroy Alcibar, with conspiring to launder money in order to hide the illegal profits generated from their activities.
The investigation revealed that the human smuggling organization (HSO), led by Serrano Piedra and Monroy Alcibar, facilitated the illegal transport of undocumented migrants from nations such as Mexico, Guatemala, and Colombia. Families of these migrants reportedly paid exorbitant sums for the treacherous journey into the U.S.
The HSO utilized extremely hazardous and often lethal transport methods, including concealing individuals in suitcases, overcrowding them in cramped tractor-trailers, and locking them in wooden crates secured to flatbed trailers. Such practices placed the migrants in grave danger, exposing them to risks like suffocation, heat exhaustion, and severe injuries due to high-speed travel without any safety measures.
“The defendants in this case exploited vulnerable people, placing them in coffin-like spaces where they faced grave risks, all for financial gain,” said U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani for the Southern District of Texas. “This sentence serves as a warning to others who may seek to profit from human suffering—justice will catch up with you.”
The HSO, which operated in Texas and beyond, used various tactics to disguise the source of their criminal profits, including funneling payments through straw persons and businesses to hide the true nature of the transactions. As a result, the HSO allegedly laundered millions of dollars through a series of fraudulent financial deals and transactions. Properties purchased with these illicit funds, including a residence valued at $2.28 million, were seized in the criminal forfeiture process.
“The leaders of this smuggling operation showed complete disregard for human life, using ruthless methods to exploit vulnerable migrants,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brent S. Wible of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “This sentence, along with the forfeiture of the defendants’ ill-gotten wealth, reflects our commitment to dismantling these dangerous smuggling rings.”
The case underscores a broader effort by U.S. law enforcement to combat the growing threat of human smuggling across the southern border. Since the formation of the Joint Task Force Alpha (JTFA) in 2021, authorities have made over 345 arrests and secured 290 convictions in connection with human trafficking and smuggling operations.
“Human smugglers exploit people’s hopes for a better life while endangering their safety and well-being,” said Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas. “The Department of Homeland Security remains committed to disrupting and dismantling smuggling organizations through close collaboration with our federal, state, and international partners.”
In addition to Serrano Piedra and Monroy Alcibar, who both pleaded guilty to conspiracy to transport illegal aliens and conspiracy to launder money, 14 co-conspirators have been sentenced for their roles in the operation. Sentences for those involved range up to 135 months in prison, with additional money judgments and asset forfeitures.
As the investigation continues, authorities urge anyone with information on similar smuggling operations to come forward. The Justice Department remains dedicated to holding accountable those who endanger human lives for profit and will continue to work tirelessly to dismantle these criminal networks.
