El Paso Man Pleads Guilty in Scheme to Smuggle Drugged Children From Mexico

Overview

• Manuel Valenzuela, 35, pleaded guilty on Nov. 6 to one count of conspiracy to transport aliens and three counts of aiding and abetting smuggling for profit.
• He faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 11 years, with a federal judge to set the final term under the sentencing guidelines and statutory factors.
• Court records say smugglers brought children ages 5 to 13 from Juárez using THC-laced candy to sedate them and presented fraudulent U.S. documents while falsely posing as parents.
• One child was hospitalized and diagnosed with THC poisoning, and prosecutors say Valenzuela’s role included picking up the children in El Paso and paying the drivers.
• Valenzuela was arrested Aug. 30 and charged in a Sept. 24 indictment with co-defendants Dianne, Susana and Daniel Guadian; HSI El Paso and U.S. Border Patrol led the investigation with JTFA support under DOJ’s Operation Take Back America, and the case is being prosecuted by AUSA Adam Hines and DOJ Trial Attorney Bethany Allen.