An Eagle Pass police detective has been sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for her role in a human smuggling organization.
Hazel Eileen Diaz rented out multiple properties for the purpose of hiding illegal aliens between September 2020 and August 2021. Diaz worked for a human smuggling organization that hid nearly 200 illegal aliens in the rented stash houses, according to a statement from Homeland Security Investigations.
A stash house is defined by U.S. Customs and Border Protection as “a place where human smugglers cram illegal aliens until they can ‘distribute’ them around the country.”
Diaz made approximately $37,000 from the operation and was in possession of $23,522 at the time of her arrest.
Two co-defendants worked with Diaz in operating her properties as stash houses, according to HSI. Tomas Alejandro Mendez pleaded guilty to conspiracy to harbor illegal aliens through the operation and will be sentenced in January. Another co-defendant, Paola Nikole Cazares, was sentenced to about five years in prison.
“This defendant swore to protect and serve her community, but instead she abused her position of public trust by harboring noncitizens inside her rental homes,” said HSI San Antonio Special Agent in Charge Craig S. Larrabee. “The sentencing of this former police officer should serve as a stark reminder that no one is above the law. HSI will continue to bring smugglers to justice, especially those misusing a badge.”
U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas announced that in addition to receiving 10 years of imprisonment, Diaz will serve three years of supervised release and pay a $10,000 fine and $237,600 money judgment. She will also forfeit three properties, a truck, and the remaining $23,522 she received as payment.
The HSI, FBI, U.S. Border Patrol, and the Texas Department of Public Safety investigated the case.
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