Please E-mail suggested additions, comments and/or corrections to Kent@MoreLaw.Com.
Date: 12-26-2020
Case Style:
Case Number: 7:20-cr-00870
Judge: Ricardo H. Hinojosa
Court: United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas (Hidalgo County)
Plaintiff's Attorney: United States District Attorney’s Office, McAllen, Texas
Defendant's Attorney:
OR
Just Call 855-853-4800 for Free Help Finding a Lawyer to Help You.
Description: McAllen, Texas - Smuggling charge criminal defense lawyer represented defendant charged with bulk cash smuggling.
Sergio Guadalupe Sauceda-Saenz, age 36, a legal permanent resident (LPR) who was residing in Edinburg. On April 4, he attempted to leave the United States through the Hidalgo Port of entry in his vehicle. Authorities conducted an outbound inspection which led to the discovery of $571,497 in bulk U.S. currency in the spare tire.
Defendant admitted to evading currency reporting requirement by knowingly concealing more than $10,000 dollars. Sauceda-Saenz acknowledged knowing he was concealing the money and that it was illegal to transport the currency from the U.S. to Mexico unreported. As part of the plea agreement, he has agreed to forfeit his interest in the seized cash.
Sauceda-Saenz faces up to five years in federal prison along with a possible $250,000 maximum fine. He could also lose his status as an LPR.
It is not a crime to carry more than $10,000, but it is a federal offense not to declare currency or monetary instruments totaling $10,000 or more to law enforcement upon entry or exit from the U.S. or to conceal it with intent to evade reporting requirements.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation along with Customs and Border Protection. Assistant U.S. Attorney Frances Blake Land is prosecuting the case.
REPORTS ON EXPORT AND IMPORT OF MONETARY INSTRUMENTS
(1)
Outcome: Defendant pleaded guilty.
Plaintiff's Experts:
Defendant's Experts:
Comments: