SAN ANTONIO, Texas — A Mexican national accused of participating in an international human smuggling conspiracy has been extradited to the United States. Monica Hernandez-Palma, also known as Moni, was arrested in Mexico and surrendered to U.S. authorities to face charges in the Western District of Texas.
Hernandez-Palma, 32, is charged with one count of conspiracy to bring a migrant to the United States at a place other than a designated port of entry and three counts of bringing a migrant to the United States without authorization for commercial advantage and private financial gain, according to a press release from the Department of Justice. If convicted, she faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison on each count.
The indictment alleges that from November 2020 through September 2023, Hernandez-Palma conspired with others to illegally bring migrants into the United States. Her initial court appearance took place in the Western District of Texas, where the indictment was unsealed…