Judge gavel, scales of justice and law books in court. (Brian A. Jackson/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
HOUSTON - A Guatemalan national has been found guilty of falsely claiming to be a minor while attempting to enter the US through the Texas border.
The 21-year-old claimed to be 16, sharing immigration services with actual minors, the release from the U.S. Attorney's Office, Southern District of Texas says.
Texas immigration conviction
Tadeo Pedro-Torres has been found guilty of making false statements in a juvenile immigration case. After a three-day trial, the jury deliberated for less than an hour before convicting him Wednesday.
Torres claimed to be 16 when he attempted to enter the US near El Paso on Oct. 26, 2024, the release says.
Charges filed against men arrested after escaping ICE custody in Conroe
The men are accused of strangling a Border Patrol agent in her vehicle before escaping, the USAO says.
Believing he was a minor, the state allowed Torres to benefit from the care provided to unaccompanied minors without lawful immigration status. As a result, Torres was housed and cared for alongside actual unaccompanied minors.
Immigration Customs Enforcement - Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Carrie Law and Celia Moyer are prosecuting the case.
What's next:
U.S. District Judge Sim Lake presided over the trial and set sentencing for Dec. 19. At that time, Torres faces up to five years in federal prison and a possible $250,000 maximum fine.
He will remain in custody pending that hearing.
The Source: Information in this story comes from the U.S. Attorney's Office, Southern District of Texas.