Human smuggler sentenced to more than 8 years in prison following guilty plea

SAN ANTONIO - A Cuban national was sentenced here on Friday to serve a 100-month prison term for his role in a human smuggling scheme that resulted in the deaths of three illegal aliens. This sentence resulted from an investigation conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Wilberto Calderon-Yero, 30, pleaded guilty Sept. 13 to transporting illegal aliens for profit that resulted in death.

The charges stem from a July 2007 vehicle rollover crash that resulted in the death of three illegal aliens that Calderon-Yero was unlawfully transporting. According to ICE, Calderon-Yero fled from a routine traffic stop by Natalia police and this is where the subsequent chase reached speeds of 100 mph. The police pursuit passed through several jurisdictions before he lost control of the vehicle along Interstate 10 East near Loop 1604. Three of the passengers died immediately upon impact.

The passengers were from Mexico, Guatemala and Honduras. During the investigation, ICE agents learned that each alien paid Calderon-Yero about $1500 to be transported from Laredo to Houston.

"Human smugglers have a well-deserved reputation for operating ruthlessly with no regard for the human beings whose lives they endanger," said Jerry Robinette, special agent-in-charge of investigations for the ICE office in San Antonio. "Calderon-Yero will have the next few years to think about the deaths he caused. ICE will continue our efforts to identify and dismantle organizations whose members selfishly and recklessly engage in trafficking human cargo for their personal gain."