The Southern District of Texas continues to actively prosecute a range of border-related crimes, from high-level cartel leadership to individuals interfering with law enforcement. Over the past week alone, more than 330 border enforcement cases were filed, with the majority of defendants having prior felony convictions, including for violent crimes.
Cartel Leaders and Regional Control
Two alleged cartel members, Juan Pedro Saldivar-Farias and Ricardo Cortez-Mateos, recently appeared in Houston federal court. Both men were extradited from Mexico this month, having been originally indicted in 2021 under the Trump administration. Saldivar-Farias is identified as a Los Zetas plaza boss and regional commander, while Cortez-Mateos is described as a high-ranking member of the Cartel del Gulfo (CDG).
Authorities maintain that Los Zetas controls miles of the U.S.-Mexico border and is involved in drug trafficking and money laundering. The charges against Saldivar-Farias detail his oversight of transportation routes crossing Falcon Lake in Zapata County, a region targeted by Texas’ Operation Lone Star two years ago. Those using this Zeta crossing route are reportedly required to pay a cartel “tax,” facing threats, violence, or even death if they refuse.
Cortez-Mateos is accused of overseeing a drug trafficking operation in the Rio Grande Valley, involving kidnapping, extortion, human smuggling, and the assassination of civilians and government officials in Mexico. Both men face up to life in prison if convicted.
Business Owners and Interference with Law Enforcement
Beyond cartel members, recent prosecutions in the Rio Grande Valley include the owners of Abby’s Bakery and Dulce’s Cafe in Los Fresnos, who were sentenced on charges of “harboring aliens.” A jury reached a guilty verdict in just three hours. The owners, who are not U.S. citizens, allegedly held six or more individuals who had illegally crossed the border, providing them with substandard living conditions – mattresses in a storage area with limited access to hot water – and paying them in cash without proper documentation.
In a separate case, Deigo Masiel Torres, 19, of Penitas, was sentenced to prison for interfering with a federal worksite enforcement operation and assaulting a law enforcement officer. He allegedly attempted to prevent the arrest of an individual at a worksite inspection in Harlingen by placing the officer in a chokehold.
Looking Ahead
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas is likely to continue prioritizing border security cases, given the ongoing activity and the high volume of prosecutions. It is possible that increased enforcement efforts could lead to further arrests of cartel members and those involved in human smuggling. Continued prosecution of individuals interfering with law enforcement operations may also serve as a deterrent to future obstruction. The long-term impact of these prosecutions on cartel activity and border security remains to be seen.
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of crimes are being prosecuted in the Southern District of Texas?
The U.S. Attorney’s Office is prosecuting a range of border crimes, including drug trafficking, human smuggling, harboring illegal aliens, and assaulting law enforcement officers.
Who are Juan Pedro Saldivar-Farias and Ricardo Cortez-Mateos?
Juan Pedro Saldivar-Farias is a Los Zetas plaza boss, and Ricardo Cortez-Mateos is a high-ranking member of the Cartel del Gulfo (CDG). Both were extradited from Mexico and are facing drug trafficking and related charges.
What was the outcome of the case involving Abby’s Bakery and Dulce’s Cafe?
The owners of Abby’s Bakery and Dulce’s Cafe were sentenced on charges of “harboring aliens” after a jury found them guilty in three hours.
How might these prosecutions impact future activity along the border?
