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Trafficker Sent To Prison For Conspiring To Smuggle Toddler From Mexico

LAREDO, Texas – A 23-year-old Laredo woman has been ordered to prison for her role in an unaccompanied minor smuggling ring, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei. Vanessa Valadez pleaded guilty Sept. 20, 2024, admitting she smuggled a child into the United States for financial gain. U.S. District Judge Keith P. Ellison has now ordered her to serve 18 months in federal prison to be immediately followed by three years of supervised release.

Read more on www.justice.gov

Action Details

  • Date:July 22, 2025
  • Agency:U.S. Attorney's Office, Southern District of Texas
  • Enforcement Types:
    • Criminal and Civil Actions