Case 7:18-mj-00688 Document 1 Filed in TXSD on 04/02/18 Page Eliminates A0 91 (Rev. 08/09) Criminal complaint Hum UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT GE 2018 for the Southern District of Texas - 36%? United States of America v. Maria Grubich COB: Mexico) a; l5 Defendant-(s) CRIMINAL COMPLAINT I, the complainant in this case, state that the following is true to the best Ofmy knowledge and belief. On or about the date(s) of January 20, 2018 I in the county of I Brooks in the Southern - District of Texas the defendant(s) Violated: 7 Code Section Offense Description ?8 U.S.C. A Alien Smuggling 8 U.S.C. I I Knowing or in reckless disregard of the? fact that Obed (COB: Guatemala) and others, who werealiens, who had come to, entered or remain in the United States in violation of law, conceals, harbors, or shields from detection or attempts to conceal, harbor, or shield from detection, such alien in any place, including any building or any means of transportation; to wit: conspiracy to transportation from a place in McAlIen, Texas to another place in McAlIen, Texas. - This criminal complaint is based on these facts: SEE Continued on the attached sheet. Complainant ?s signature Brian Yontz, TFO Printed naine and title . Date: 4/2/2018 - . Judge ?s signature ., City and state: McAlIen, Texas J. ott Hacker, U.S. Magistrate Judge Printed name and title I Sworn to igned in my presence. Case 7:18-mj-00688 DocUme-ntl Filed in TXSD on 04/02/18 Page 27 of 3 ATTACHMENT A I, Brian Yontz, am a Task Force Officer (TFO) assigned to the United States Homeland 1. Security and have knowledge of the following facts: 'On January 20, 2018, U.S. Border Patrol agents (BPA) encountered a white 2004 Freightliner semi-tractor hauling a white Wabash trailer as it approached the primary inspection lanes at the Falfurrias U.S. Border Patrol Checkpoint. DUring the primary immigration inspection, a Department canine alerted tothe semi-tractor and trailer. The semi-tractor and-trailer Wasplaced in secondary inspection and searched. During the search of the trailer, agents discovered fifty-seven (57) undocumented aliens (UDAs) concealed inside. Upon questioning, all fifty-seven (57) UDAs admitted to being illegally present in the United States. One of the in the trailer, Jose- Feliciano RUIZ-Murillo, was advised of his Miranda warnings by TFO Yontz, which he stated he understood and subsequently waived in writing. Post?Miranda, RUIZ?Murillo admitted that he gave instructions to the UDAs and told them to get into the trailer. . During the investigation, agents interviewed numerous UDAs and gathered information from several cellphones and pocket trash. Agents were able to identify one phone number from a cellphone as belonging to, MariaNavarrette-De Grubich. Agents were able to show seVeral a photo line?up and three were able to identify Maria Navarrete?De Groubich as a stash house caretaker and the person who transported them to the semi-tractor and trailer. . Material witness, Obed'Nata'nael a citizen of Guatemala who was unlawfully in the United States, stated he crossed the RioGrande River on January 10, 2018, with approximately nine (9) other persons. After crossing, he and four (4) other UDAs in the group were picked 'up in a black sports utility vehicle (SUV) by Maria Grubich. He said Grubich transported them to a human stash house, Opened the gate, and the group of UDAs went inside. He' told agents that the group stayed at the human stash house for approximately one week. He said that Grubich dropped off groceries and the UDAs cooked the food. He stated that Grubich initially took - five (5) UDAs from the human stash house and then returned and transported him and others to a produce warehouse in the same black SUV. He stated that there were approximately forty (40) other UDAs at the warehouse also, including Chinese and Brazilians. He told agents that the male, later identified as RUIZ-Murillo instructed the UDAs to get inside the trailer slowly; crouch down and that it would be one and one-half hours before they get to the United Stated Border Patrol Checkpoint. told agents that they Were given blankets from inside duffel bags and was told to cover themselves becauSe of the cold air. stated that a male on a forklift then loaded produce into the trailer and later he heard Case 7:18-mj-00688 Document 1 Filed in TXSD on 04/02/18 Page 3 of 3 the trailer doors close. said that RUIZ-Murillo told the UDAs to be quiet once they loaded and at the checkpoint. . 6. positively identified Grubich in a photo lineup as the person who transported?and harbored the UDAs. - . - .- 7. UDA inside the semi-trailer, Carlos La Cruz, a?citizen of Mexico who was unlawfully in the United States, stated .he crossed the Rio Grande River on or about'January 7, 2018. After Crossing, he was picked up and transported to a human Stash house with other He told agents that he stayed at the human stash house for approximately two weeks. He said that Grubich dropped-off food to the UDAs at the human stash house. He stated that Grubich transported him in an SUV to a white box truck, where he and other UDAs were then transportedto a warehouse. He saidhe was put inside a Semi-trailer and driven before being arrested at the United Stated Border Patrol Checkpoint. - .8. La Cruz positively identified Grubich in a photo lineup as the person who dropped off fOOd at the human stash house and transported him. 9. UDA inside the semi-trailer, Joel AVlLES?Espinal, a citizen of El Salvador who was unlawfully in the United States, stated he?cross'ed the Rio Grande River on or about January 15, 2018. He said he was then taken to a human stash house. He stated that Grubich dropped off groceries to the UDAs at the human stash'one time a day, usually in the evenings, and the UDAs Cooked the food. He stated that Grubich transported him in a black Lincoln SUV to a box truck, where he and other UDAs were then transported toa semi?tractor trailer. .1 He said he was put inside a semi-trailer and driven before being arrested at the United Stated Border Patrol Checkpoint. - positively identified GrubiC?h' in a photo lineup as . the person who dropped off food at the human stash house and transported him.