A San Antonio man, Bryan Tanner, has been ordered to federal prison for transporting undocumented aliens. Tanner pleaded guilty Dec. 1, 2022.
U.S. District Judge David S. Morales ordered Tanner, age 40, to serve 37 months in federal prison to be immediately followed by three years of supervised release. At the hearing, the court heard evidence that while committing the offense, he possessed a loaded firearm that was readily available to him in the car. In imposing the sentence, Judge Morales noted the dangerousness of the offense and also considered Tanner’s criminal history which includes prior convictions for possession and distribution of a controlled substance.
On Sept. 8, 2022, Tanner approached the Border Patrol checkpoint near Sarita. He appeared nervous and could not answer law enforcement’s questions.
They asked to check the vehicle, at which time Tanner attempted to flee the checkpoint. Authorities stopped him and discovered three individuals concealed inside the trunk. Two of the individuals indicated they had been there for at least three hours.
The temperature inside the area was over 99 degrees.
Law enforcement also discovered a loaded 9mm handgun stashed between the driver’s seat and center console of the car.
Tanner has been and will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.