Corpus Christi Man Sentenced to 46 Months in Federal Prison for Transporting, Endangering Undocumented Noncitizens

DEL RIO, Texas - A Corpus Christi man was sentenced in a federal court in Del Rio to 46 months in prison for conspiracy to transport undocumented noncitizens, placing lives in jeopardy.

According to court documents, Thomas Bucciarelli, 40, failed to yield to law enforcement in Carrizo Springs on Aug. 20, 2022. Bucciarelli drove through red traffic lights and struck the driver's side of a vehicle stopped at an intersection. Border Patrol agents located Bucciarelli's vehicle in a parking lot, finding four passengers who were revealed to be undocumented noncitizens. Bucciarelli was taken into federal custody. He pleaded guilty to one count on Feb. 6, 2023.

U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza of the Western District of Texas made the announcement.

U.S. Border Patrol investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy Markovits prosecuted the case.

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