Eagle Pass Man Enters Guilty Plea to Aiding and Abetting Former Maverick County Precinct Two Commissioner in Bulk Cash Smuggling Scheme

In Del Rio, 62-year-old Jose Luis Aguilar of Eagle Pass, Texas, faces up to five years in federal prison after pleading guilty this morning to aiding and abetting bulk cash smuggling, announced United States Attorney Robert Pitman and FBI Special Agent in Charge Armando Fernandez.

Appearing before United States District Judge Alia Moses, Aguilar admitted that on January 4, 2011, he and co-defendant 28-year-old David Gelacio brought a total of $13,000 in U.S. currency from Mexico through the Eagle Pass Port of Entry without declaring it to federal authorities. According to the factual basis filed in the case, Aguilar was carrying $7,000; Gelacio, $6,000. Aguilar also admitted that the money was the proceeds from selling a Ford truck owned by former Maverick County Precinct Two Commissioner and co-defendant Rodolfo Heredia to individuals associated with the Los Zetas Cartel in Piedras Negras, Mexico. At the behest of Heredia, Aguilar had sold the truck in Mexico. The factual basis further states that after selling the truck, Heredia did not want Aguilar to declare the money to law enforcement when he entered the United States. So, he sent Gelacio to assist Aguilar in transporting the money from Mexico into the United States. Aguilar admitted that he knew he was assisting Heredia in his efforts to smuggle the funds back into the United States without having to declare the funds to the appropriate authorities.

Aguilar and Gelacio have remained in custody since their arrest in October 2012. Sentencing for Aguilar has yet to be scheduled. On January 24, 2013, Gelacio pleaded guilty to the same charge. Gelacio, who faces up to five years in federal prison, is scheduled to be sentenced on July 8, 2013. Heredia is currently scheduled for jury selection on May 21, 2013.

This ongoing investigation is being conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Texas Department of Public Safety. Assistant United States Attorney Michael Galdo is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.