BEXAR COUNTY, Texas — Three men are facing human smuggling charges after deputies received a tip and conducted surveillance at a gas station in Von Ormy, according to the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office.
On Wednesday, undercover deputies with BCSO’s Organized Crime Division conducted surveillance at a Love’s gas station in Von Ormy after they got a tip about an 18-wheeler smuggling persons traveling from Laredo to San Antonio.
Around 11:25 p.m., deputies saw a gray Chevrolet Tahoe with Texas plates that was parked suspiciously near the pumps. The vehicle was linked to an address previously associated with multiple human smuggling cases, investigators said.
The Tahoe later met up with an 18-wheeler behind a nearby Valero gas station. After a brief interaction, both vehicles drove off in opposite directions.
Deputies stopped the Tahoe and identified the driver as Juan Hernandez Balderas. A passenger was detained and later identified as the victim.
The victim told investigators he was smuggled into the United States and had recently crossed the border before being transported to San Antonio.
Deputies also conducted a traffic stop on the 18-wheeler near I-35 and Loop 1604. BCSO identified the driver as Alfredo Israel Juarez Flores and his passenger as Alejandro Cantero Chavez. The two gave conflicting accounts of their presence at the Valero to investigators.
All three suspects were questioned and later booked into the Bexar County Jail on charges of smuggling and engaging in organized criminal activity.
- Alejandro Cantero Chavez: Engaging in Organized Criminal Activity F2, Smuggling of Persons – Pecuniary Benefit F3
- Alfredo Israel Juarez Flores: Engaging in Organized Criminal Activity F1, Smuggling of Persons – Pecuniary Benefit F2
- Juan Hernandez Balderas: Engaging in Organized Criminal Activity F2, Smuggling of Persons F3