EL PASO, Texas – Thirteen people face federal charges in El Paso for allegedly transporting stolen vehicles from the United States into Mexico where the vehicles were then allegedly used by Mexican cartels according to the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Western District of Texas.

U.S. Attorney Justin R. Simmons announced the charges Oct. 26 2026. The investigation named Operation Southbound Takedown began in spring 2026 after federal agents and prosecutors noticed a pattern of stolen privately owned vehicles and rental vehicles allegedly being delivered to people tied to criminal organizations in Mexico according to the office.

Prosecutors allege that in many cases vehicles were stolen from individual owners or major rental car companies across the southwestern United States driven to El Paso and delivered across the border into Mexico according to the U.S. Attorneys Office. Authorities said 29 vehicles valued at about $1.137 million have been recovered.

Each defendant is charged with interstate transportation of stolen property and faces up to 10 years in federal prison if convicted according to the office. An indictment is an accusation and defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty.

Defendants named by the U.S. Attorneys Office include Kimberly Aguilar and Marty Gerardo Jr. who are in state custody plus David Monarrez Cesar David Diaz Sinuhe Baltizar Lopez Christopher Rene Reyes Angel Antonio Flores Aaron Fernando Luna Evans Amy Foote James Dewey Garrett Hilario Abraham Morales Pablo Frias and Pilar Bernabeth Mendez Rivas. Frias and Mendez Rivas are Mexican citizens according to the office. Nine of the 11 defendants arrested between July 22 and Oct. 19 are U.S. citizens the office said.

The case is part of the Homeland Security Task Force initiative with Homeland Security Investigations the FBI and other federal state and local partners according to the U.S. Attorneys Office. “This work is ongoing we are not stopping here” said Ryan G. McRae special agent in charge of Homeland Security Investigations in El Paso according to the office.

The Western District of Texas also covers Del Rio and Eagle Pass along the border.

Read our earlier coverage: Zavala County Deputy Seizes Handgun And Marijuana From Penske Truck At Highway 57 And 83

Sources: U.S. Attorneys Office Western District of Texas press release