Paisas Prison Gang Member Sentenced for human smuggling while on supervised

By Staff Writer

LAREDO, Texas — A Laredo man with a long record of violent and high‑risk offenses has been sentenced to federal prison after a failed human‑smuggling attempt near the La Bota Ranch area, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas.

Duilio Ivan Selgado, 25, pleaded guilty on Feb. 3 to transporting illegal aliens. U.S. District Judge Diana Saldana has now ordered him to serve 41 months in federal prison, plus an additional 14 months for violating the terms of his supervised release — a combined 55‑month sentence. He will also serve two years of supervised release after completing his prison term.

Court cites violent criminal history

During sentencing, prosecutors presented evidence outlining Selgado’s extensive criminal history, which includes assaults, arson, and multiple high‑speed flights from law enforcement. Judge Saldana described the record as “distressing” and noted that this was Selgado’s sixth arrest for alien smuggling. It was also the second time he violated supervised release by committing the same offense for which he was already under federal supervision.

Smuggling attempt near La Bota Ranch

On Nov. 10, 2025, law enforcement officers conducting surveillance in the La Bota Ranch area observed roughly 20 migrants cross the Rio Grande and walk toward a boat ramp. A Ford Expedition and a Ford F‑150 arrived shortly afterward to pick them up.

Officers pursued the Expedition and saw Selgado jump out of the front passenger seat as the vehicle slowed. Several migrants fled on foot.

One migrant later told authorities he had paid to be smuggled into the United States and had been instructed to walk up the boat ramp to be picked up. He also said Selgado was on the phone receiving directions during the operation.

Selgado admitted to being a member of the Paisas prison gang.

He remains in federal custody and will be transferred to a Bureau of Prisons facility.

Part of broader federal anti‑smuggling initiatives

Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer Day prosecuted the case, which falls under the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a multi‑agency effort targeting criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human‑smuggling networks operating in the United States and abroad. The initiative places particular emphasis on crimes involving children and on removing violent criminal aliens from the country.

HSTF South Texas includes personnel from Homeland Security Investigations, FBI, DEA, ATF, U.S. Marshals Service, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, IRS/Department of Transportation, Interpol/State Department, and the Naval Criminal Investigative Service, with support from Border Patrol and the Texas Department of Public Safety.

The case also involved Joint Task Force Alpha (JTFA), a Justice Department–DHS partnership focused on dismantling human‑smuggling and trafficking networks operating throughout Mexico, Central America, and parts of South America. JTFA includes prosecutors from U.S. Attorneys’ Offices along the southwest border and receives support from multiple DOJ divisions and federal law‑enforcement agencies.

According to federal officials, JTFA’s work has so far resulted in more than 455 arrests, over 400 U.S. convictions, more than 350 significant prison sentences, and substantial asset forfeitures tied to smuggling and trafficking operations.

If you want, I can also produce a shorter social‑media version, a headline graphic, or a law‑enforcement‑style summary.