Laredo man admits to transporting, holding undocumented immigrants against their will

The case dates back to July 5, 2016, when Laredo police responded to a stabbing report in the 4700 block of Mims Avenue in central Laredo. The case dates back to July 5, 2016, when Laredo police responded to a stabbing report in the 4700 block of Mims Avenue in central Laredo. Photo: Google Maps/Street View Photo: Google Maps/Street View Image 1 of / 192 Caption Close Laredo man admits to transporting, holding undocumented immigrants against their will 1 / 192 Back to Gallery

A 43-year-old Laredoan pleaded guilty Monday to a conspiracy charge for his role in a smuggling incident that led to multiple illegal immigrants being held against their will in a Laredo residence last year.

Jesus Osorio admitted that he conspired to harbor and transport undocumented immigrants in violation of law during a hearing held before U.S. Magistrate Judge Diana Song Quiroga, Acting U.S. Attorney Abe Martinez said in a press release.

A grand jury indicted Osorio and three other co-defendants in August on charges related to the kidnapping, hostage-taking and concealing of eight undocumented immigrants.

Through an investigation, authorities identified Osorio as the man who drove immigrants from a stash house to a second residence where they were eventually kidnapped, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.

His co-defendants, Angel Diaz, Jose Israel Diaz and Julio Osorio were convicted of conspiracy to kidnap illegal immigrants.

In early May, U.S District Court Judge Garcia Marmolejo ordered Jose Diaz to serve a total of 360 months in federal prison. Alexis Diaz and Julio Osorio received sentences of 262 and 292 months in prison, respectively.

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The case dates back to July 5, 2016, when Laredo police responded to a stabbing report in the 4700 block of Mims Avenue in central Laredo. Officers met with a man who had cuts to his hand and fingers.

Several other people waved officers down in the 4500 block of Mims, where officers noticed another man with a laceration.

One injured person was identified as defendant Julio Osorio.

Border Patrol agents responded to a call for assistance from LPD regarding a suspected human smuggling case.

Eight immigrants who had entered the country illegally alleged they were held against their will, assaulted and extorted for additional smuggling fees, states the criminal complaint filed July 7, 2016.

The U.S. Attorney's Office said the group had made arrangements to be smuggled into the United States and were kept at a Laredo residence for two weeks after their arrival.

"They were then transported to a second location where Angel Alexis Diaz, 20, Jose Israel Diaz, 43, and Julio Osorio, 40, all of Laredo, held them hostage," the U.S. Attorney's Office said.

Material witnesses told authorities that Angel Diaz, Jose Diaz and Julio Osorio told them they were not allowed to leave.

The men stripped all immigrants of their clothing and tied their arms behind their backs with tape, beat them with a blunt knife and threatened them with a gun, records state.

Then, Angel and Jose Diaz went to a store while Julio Osorio was left behind to watch over the immigrants.

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That's when an immigrant fought with Julio Osorio over a knife.

The immigrant sustained cuts but was able to take the knife away from Osorio, the complaint states.

All immigrants then escaped. They allege they were being held hostage for additional smuggling fees, between $2,000 and $4,000.

One immigrant told authorities that the trio told them they were Zetas and threatened to kill him, according to court documents.

Jesus Osorio's sentencing hearing has been set for Jan. 2 before U.S. District Judge Marina Garcia Marmolejo, the U.S. Attorney's Office said.

Osorio faces up to 20 years in federal prison and a possible $250,000 maximum fine. He will remain in custody pending his sentencing.