Texas Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Leading Human Smuggling Operation

Isai Orona, known as 'Panda,' admitted to smuggling over 2,500 undocumented individuals in 2023 using a network of drivers and vehicles.

Isai Orona, a 35-year-old from Horizon City, Texas, was sentenced to 54 months in federal prison for his role in a human smuggling conspiracy.
Orona coordinated the smuggling of over 2,500 undocumented individuals into the U.S. over a six-month period in 2023, with many transported to Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Authorities identified Orona as the leader of the operation through WhatsApp communications used to organize the scheme.
The smuggling network involved at least 12 vehicles and multiple drivers, many of which Orona obtained or helped others acquire.
In addition to his prison sentence, Orona was ordered to pay a $250,000 money judgment by the court.