Border Patrol checkpoint stop leads to conviction of Florida man who transported undocumented migrants through South Texas in hidden compartments

Corpus Christi, Texas – In a recent verdict from Corpus Christi, a federal jury convicted a Cuban national of illegally transporting seven undocumented immigrants. The defendant, 52-year-old Jorge Grimon Maturell from Jacksonville, Florida, now faces a potential five-year sentence in federal prison following the swift conclusion of his trial.

The events leading to Maturell’s conviction began on November 1, 2024, when he was intercepted at the Falfurrias Border Patrol checkpoint while driving a tractor-trailer. A routine inspection escalated when a Border Patrol K-9 unit signaled suspicion, prompting a more thorough examination of the vehicle. This led to the discovery of seven individuals concealed within the sleeper area and under a mattress in the trailer, all of whom were determined to be in the country without legal authorization.

The trial, which lasted less than two days, presented compelling evidence against Maturell. Prosecutors revealed that Maturell had been found with $20,684 in cash at the time of his arrest. Further investigations uncovered communications suggesting this amount was discussed as payment for the transportation of the people found hidden in his trailer.

The defense portrayed Maturell as a victim of coercion, claiming that he was forced into smuggling after receiving threats at a gas station. However, the claim faltered as investigations showed no evidence of his presence at the gas station he mentioned. Moreover, Maturell changed his story during the trial, admitting that he had not been threatened in Edinburg as initially claimed, but instead in Laredo, from where he was allegedly instructed to pick up the illegal aliens in McAllen and then head through the checkpoint.

The jury was unpersuaded by the defense’s argument of duress and, after deliberating for less than two hours, found Maturell guilty on all counts. Following the verdict, U.S. District Judge David Morales, who presided over the trial, ordered that Maturell be taken into custody. He had been out on bond but now will remain in detention until his sentencing scheduled for June 25.

This case was thoroughly investigated by Customs and Border Protection, with Assistant U.S. Attorneys Zachary Bird and Patrick Overman leading the prosecution. The conviction underscores ongoing efforts to address the challenges of border security and illegal immigration, highlighting the legal repercussions for those found to be involved in such activities.