$5,000 Deal: Smugglers’ Plot to Transport Migrants to San Antonio Uncovered

In a recent case illustrating ongoing challenges in border security, two young men from Brownfield, Texas, pleaded guilty to conspiring to transport undocumented migrants through South Texas. Mac Quese Howard, 20 and De Richardson Miller, 18 confessed their connections to a smuggling scheme to transport migrants from Laredo to San Antonio for $5,000.

The incident occurred on March 22, 2025, when U.S. Border Patrol agents saw a Ford Expedition attempt to avoid a checkpoint on Interstate 35 just north of Laredo. Once the agent pulled the vehicle over for a traffic violation, the agent found three undocumented migrants under the blankets in the backseat. Howard was the driver and Miller was in the front seat directing Howard where to go.

Both defendants admitted they drove from their hometown in the area of Lubbock to Laredo to take the migrants to San Antonio. They were paid a total of $5,000 and were going to divide it evenly.

Homero Ramirez, the Assistant U.S. Attorney handling the case in this trial, is engaged as part of Operation Take Back America, a federal operation aimed at combating human smuggling and border crimes. U.S. District Judge Diana Saldana will set a later date for the sentencing. Howard remains in custody while Miller has been released on bond pending sentencing.

If convicted both Howard and Miller could face up to ten years in federal prison as well as a possible fine of up to $250,000. The case serves to illustrate both the danger and legal ramifications of human smuggling at the U.S.-Mexico border.