Two illegal alien human smugglers arrested after dangerous pursuit and crash Publisher: U.S. Attorney's Office, Southern District of Texas Dateline: McAllen, Texas Date: 24 March 2025 Subjects: American Government , Crime

McALLEN, Texas – Two Mexican nationals have been charged with conspiring to transport illegal aliens, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei. 

Jose Manuel Zamarripa-Torres, 38, and Daniel Flores-Hernandez, 19, are expected to make their initial appearances before U.S. Magistrate Judge Nadia S. Medrano.  

The criminal complaint alleges that on March 20, law enforcement observed a raft cross the Rio Grande River from Mexico and make landfall in the United States. Zamarripa-Torres then allegedly picked up five illegal aliens from that raft in a Ford SUV. The charges allege one of those was Flores-Hernandez who was the brush guide.  

Law enforcement attempted to make a traffic stop, but Zamarripa-Torres fled the scene and subsequently failed to yield, according to the charges. The complaint alleges authorities successfully deployed vehicle immobilization devices throughout the pursuit, but Zamarripa-Torres continued driving. 

Zamarripa-Torres allegedly crashed into an occupied civilian vehicle, a power pole and fence and ultimately came to a stop after the 6.1-mile pursuit. 

If convicted, Zamarripa-Torres and Flores-Hernandez face up to 10 years in federal prison and a possible $250,000 fine. 

Border Patrol conducted the investigation with the assistance of the Texas Department of Public Safety. Assistant U.S. Attorney Devin V. Walker is prosecuting the case. 

A criminal complaint is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence. A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law. 

Updated March 24, 2025