July 2, 2025San Antonio, TX, United StatesHuman Smuggling/Trafficking

ICE, law enforcement partner investigation results in a significant prison sentence for a South Texas man convicted of kidnapping illegal aliens

Human smuggler receives 120-year prison sentence

SAN ANTONIO — A La Pryor man was sentenced July 1 to 120 years in prison for one count of conspiracy to kidnap and two counts related to harboring illegal aliens causing serious bodily injury and placing the life of a person in jeopardy. He was sentenced to the maximum of 20 years on each of the harboring counts and was sentenced to 80 years on the kidnapping count, with the sentences to run consecutively. This investigation was conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement with assistance from the San Antonio Police Department.

Joshua Lee Balderas, 33, was sentenced for to various counts related to human smuggling. He was arrested Oct. 28, 2022, and found guilty on all counts by a federal jury on Oct. 11, 2024.

“This sentence, undoubtedly keeping Balderas confined for the remainder of his life, reflects the egregious nature of these human smuggling crimes,” said U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Texas Justin R. Simmons. “It should send a clear message throughout the nation and across our borders that we take these prosecutions very seriously and will aggressively seek to deliver justice.”

“The sentencing of this defendant to 120 years in prison marks a significant victory in our ongoing fight against human smuggling,” said ICE Homeland Security Investigations San Antonio Special Agent in Charge Craig Larrabee. “This severe penalty reflects the gravity of the crimes committed and serves as a stern warning to those who exploit vulnerable individuals for profit. I commend the agents and our San Antonio Police Department partners for their hard work during this successful investigation.”

According to court documents, in March 2022, Balderas and other conspirators transported and harbored a group of seven aliens, including one woman, who had recently crossed the U.S.-Mexico border. When the group was picked up by the smugglers, the woman was suffering from significant injuries to her feet and was severely dehydrated. Balderas transported the group from La Pryor to San Antonio, where the aliens were held captive in hotel rooms and ransomed to their families for thousands of dollars. One family member was forced to pay $7,000 for an alien’s release.

Balderas and one of his co-conspirators, Kaylen Alexander Brondo, 26, of San Antonio, frequently brandished firearms in the hotel rooms to ensure compliance from the migrants and at trial, a victim testified that Balderas pointed a firearm directly at her to ensure her obedience during a ransom call.

While the aliens were being held for ransom, Balderas sexually assaulted one of them while threatening her with a firearm.

Brondo was arrested Oct. 24, 2022, and pleaded guilty on Sept. 30, 2024, to one count of conspiracy to kidnap. Brondo is scheduled for sentencing on Aug. 26. U.S. District Judge Fred Biery is presiding over the cases for both defendants.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys for the Western District of Texas Amanda Brown and Adrian Rosales prosecuted the case.

Updated: 07/02/2025