A Texas man identified as Isai Orona, also known as "Panda," has been sentenced to 54 months (4.5 years) in federal prison for orchestrating a human smuggling operation that brought over 2,500 undocumented individuals into the United States within a six-month period in 2023. The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Western District of Texas announced the sentencing on Wednesday, following Orona's guilty plea to charges of conspiracy to transport aliens and transporting aliens.

Court documents reveal that Orona's involvement came to light through WhatsApp messages, where he was identified as the mastermind behind the scheme. He confessed to coordinating the transportation of the individuals, many of whom were destined for Albuquerque, New Mexico. Orona utilized a network of drivers and at least 12 vehicles to carry out the operation.

The investigation gained momentum when U.S. Border Patrol agents apprehended one of Orona's accomplices in El Paso, Texas, while transporting nine undocumented individuals. The vehicle used in that instance was registered to Orona, further solidifying his connection to the smuggling ring. Orona was subsequently arrested on November 20, 2023, and entered a guilty plea on July 12, 2024.

In addition to the prison sentence, the court imposed a $250,000 monetary judgment against Orona.