Members of a South American theft ring tied to violent home invasions across Texas have been indicted with help from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
According to the agency, the South American Theft Group targeted small business owners across the Lone Star State. ICE said most of the thieves are in the U.S. illegally or remain in the country on expired visas.
Four suspects were federally indicted, and two have been convicted. One Honduran national received an 11-year federal sentence, and ICE lodged a detainer to pursue deportation after he is released from prison.
ICE and Homeland Security Investigations helped dismantle the operation in Texas, but the SATG group appears to be operating across the country. The group terrorized and attacked families and business owners in a series of violent armed break-ins across Texas.
“ICE will continue to work closely with our federal, state, and local partners to protect our communities and bring violent offenders to justice,” HSI Dallas Special Agent in Charge Travis Pickard said in a statement.
#FIRSTONFOX: ***WARNING*** disturbing video: ICE takes down a crew tied to violent home invasions, targeting small business owners across Texas. A total of four have been federally indicted, and two have been convicted. The group is said to be members of the South American Theft… pic.twitter.com/pfiiepuAdh
— Brooke Taylor (@Brooketaylortv) November 7, 2025
ICE officials said 38-year-old Joel Hallynson Espinal-Cantareo, an illegal migrant from Honduras, was involved in at least three armed home invasions at residences in Irving, Cedar Hill and Frisco. In those robberies, business owners were pistol-whipped, zip-tied, and forced to hand over cash and valuable items.
Espinal-Cantareo was convicted and sentenced in September to more than 11 years in federal prison for interference with interstate commerce by robbery, according to ICE. His federal sentence will run consecutively to pending state cases.
“This 11-year sentence sends a clear message that violent crime and threats to public safety will not be tolerated,” Pickard said. “Espinal-Cantareo’s actions affected small businesses and endangered lives. This significant sentence reflects the seriousness of those crimes.”
FOX News first reported on the takedown, sharing surveillance video that captures one victim’s chilling screams as two masked chase the resident around his house. The men have handguns and can be seen and heard hitting the victim.
The South American Theft Group is an organized network of foreign nationals, primarily from South America, who travel throughout the U.S. targeting wealthy homes and businesses by committing burglaries and thefts, according to ICE.
In May, FOX News reported that seven members of the crime ring were arrested for two Phoenix burglaries. Scottsdale Police worked with California police to track the suspects to short-term rental.
They received a tip about a SATG group from Colombia that had allegedly committed burglaries in California, Oregon and Washington, and were possibly headed to Arizona.
Other indictments tied to the group:
- In February 2025, the Southern District of Ohio announced the indictment of three men from Chile believed to be part of the group for the burglary of an NFL player’s home in Cincinnati.
- In February 2025, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida charged seven Chilean nationals in connection with nationwide burglaries.
- In January 2025, the District of New Jersey indicted seven Chilean nationals for burglaries in multiple states.
In the Texas investigation, authorities said the group used encrypted apps, burner phones and cased out neighborhoods to identify and target victims. They stole high-value jewelry, luxury watches and cash.
Three suspects were indicted for the Texas break-ins after HSI presented the federal case to the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Sherman.
A fourth suspect, who was prosecuted separately by the Dallas County District Attorney’s Office, has since been convicted and sentenced to life in prison. Two other cases are still pending, according to ICE.
