In San Antonio today, 34-year-old Drew Christopher Potter of Watuga, TX, was sentenced to 41 months in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release for his role in an undocumented alien smuggling conspiracy announced United States Attorney Richard L. Durbin, Jr., and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Special Agent in Charge Shane Folden.
On September 18, 2015, Frio County Sheriff’s deputies along with U.S. Border Patrol agents from the Cotulla Border Patrol Station responded to a 911 call from someone who witnessed multiple subjects exiting a semi-tractor trailer parked at a local convenience store along Interstate 35 South. At the scene, authorities encountered the driver, Potter, and 39 undocumented aliens including 28 adult males, 7 adult females and four minors from Guatemala, El Salvador and Mexico.
On April 21, 2016, Potter pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit transport undocumented aliens for financial gain. According to the factual basis filed in this case, Potter admitted that he was paid $800 to drive the semi-tractor trailer containing the undocumented aliens from Laredo to San Antonio.
This case was investigated by HSI, U.S. Border Patrol and the Frio County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney Matthew Lathrop prosecuted this case on behalf of the Government.