Man sentenced to 9 years in prison for human smuggling

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) -- A migrant from Mexico received a 9-year federal prison sentence for facilitating human smuggling, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office Western District of Texas.

Forty-two-year-old Manuel Alejandro Melendez-Cereceres, also known as "Monstro," was part of a human smuggling organization, USAO said. He received a 110-month prison sentence for conspiracy to transport migrants resulting in serious bodily injury.

Melendez-Cereceres recruited and coordinated drivers and vehicles to transport migrants to harboring locations or exchange points, USAO said.

In May 2025, U.S. Border Patrol agents in Tornillo stopped a smuggling event and apprehended a foot guide. After searching the guide's phone, authorities found communications with Melendez-Cereceres, USAO said.

One of the migrants being smuggled and fell from a fence, USAO said. The migrant fractured a hip socket, hip joint, sacral and heel bone.

Melendez-Cereceres was arrested at his home in June 2025 and indicted for four counts related to alien smuggling. On June 11, he pleaded guilty to the conspiracy to transport charge. In addition to the nine-year federal prison sentence, a judge ordered a money judgment of $672,101.