San Antonio

4th Fort Hood Soldier Guilty of Immigrant Smuggling in Texas

A fourth soldier from Fort Hood has pleaded guilty to using her U.S. Army identification or military gear to help transport immigrants.

Yashira Marie Perez-Morales, of Killeen, pleaded guilty Wednesday in Brownsville to immigrant smuggling charges.

Prosecutors say Perez-Morales hid immigrants while driving through the Border Patrol checkpoint at Sarita Christopher David Wix of Abilene was sentenced last month to a year and a day in federal prison.

Two other Fort Hood soldiers, Eric Alexander Rodriguez, of Odem, and Brandon Troy Robbins, of San Antonio, await sentencing.

A civilian, Arnoldo Gracia, of Harlingen, also pleaded guilty to smuggling-related counts and awaits sentencing.

Prosecutors say Gracia last year provided immigrants to the four soldiers, who then drive the individuals through the Sarita checkpoint.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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