Informate

Eagle Pass Linked to Human Hostage-Taking Case; San Antonio Woman Sentenced to 40 Years in Federal Prison

By Jose G. Landa
EAGLE PASS, Texas — A federal hostage-taking case that began with the transport of an undocumented immigrant from Eagle Pass has resulted in a San Antonio woman receiving a 40-year federal prison sentence, underscoring the dangers posed by criminal human smuggling organizations operating along the Texas border.

According to the U.S. Department of Justice, 28-year-old Jailene Reyes was sentenced Thursday in federal court in Del Rio after pleading guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit hostage taking.
Federal authorities said the victim had been transported from Eagle Pass before being held against their will.

On Aug. 4, 2024, Reyes allegedly called the victim's fiancé demanding a $6,000 ransom, threatening that the victim "would be sold to other people" if the money was not paid.

Investigators traced the phone call through the San Marcos Police Department, leading authorities to arrange a meeting with Reyes. After the meeting, Texas Department of Public Safety troopers conducted a traffic stop, arrested Reyes, safely rescued the hostage, and recovered a stolen handgun from her vehicle. During the investigation, Reyes admitted the hostage had been transported to her from Eagle Pass.

The Department of Justice filed five federal charges against Reyes in May 2025. She later pleaded guilty to the hostage-taking conspiracy charge and was sentenced to 40 years in federal prison.

The case is another reminder of the violent crimes that can accompany human smuggling operations along the Southwest border. Federal authorities have prosecuted several recent cases connected to Eagle Pass involving hostage-taking, extortion, and abuse of migrants by organized smuggling networks.

Federal officials continue to urge the public to report suspected human smuggling activity, emphasizing that many migrants become victims of extortion, violence, and hostage situations after crossing the border.