June 11, 2025 – Mission, TX — A Texas man has been sentenced to 11 years in prison and ordered to pay a $2 million fine for leading a violent, years-long criminal conspiracy to monopolize the transmigrante forwarding agency (TFA) industry at the Los Indios, Texas, border crossing. The conspiracy involved price-fixing, market allocation, money laundering, and the extortion of over $9.5 million from legitimate businesses.
Carlos Martinez, 39, of Mission, Texas, used threats, violence, and financial coercion to control businesses that assist transmigrantes—individuals who transport used vehicles through Mexico for resale in Central America. Martinez and his co-conspirators created an enforcement system dubbed “The Pool,” which fixed prices for TFA services and required competitors to pay into it or face violent reprisals.
The Department of Justice said Martinez used his control over the Los Indios Bridge—a key border crossing—as leverage to punish businesses that refused to participate in the conspiracy. Violators could be blocked from crossing the border, have their vehicles stolen, or face kidnappings, beatings, firebombings, and even murder.
“The lead defendant’s 11-year prison sentence reflects the serious economic harm inflicted on the business community along the southern border,” said Matthew R. Galeotti, head of the DOJ’s Criminal Division.
Martinez is also the son-in-law of a former leader of the Gulf Cartel, a notorious criminal syndicate operating across the U.S.-Mexico border. He laundered proceeds from the extortion scheme through family bank accounts, disguising cash deposits to conceal their illegal origin.
“The Antitrust Division will continue to aggressively pursue violent criminals who aim to corrupt America’s free markets and advocate for their incarceration,” said Assistant Attorney General Abigail Slater.
Along with the prison sentence and fine, prosecutors are seeking the forfeiture of property, including a house, luxury vehicles, a boat, and high-end watches.
Co-defendants and Sentences:
- Carlos Yzaguirre, 66, of McAllen, TX – 2 years in prison (extortion conspiracy)
- Sandra Guerra Medina, 70, of Rancho Viejo, TX – 8 months home detention (price fixing and market allocation)
- Juan Hector Ramirez Avila, 59, of Mexico – time served (structuring financial transactions)
- Four other defendants await sentencing
- Three fugitives remain at large
The FBI and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) led the investigation. Trial attorneys from the DOJ’s Antitrust and Criminal Divisions, along with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas, are prosecuting the case.
A restitution hearing for the conspiracy’s victims is scheduled for September 3, 2025.
