A Corpus Christi man faces a federal charge of transporting illegal aliens after U.S. Border Patrol agents arrested him October 6 in Port Mansfield, Texas. Authorities say 28-year-old Alec Ray Foss was piloting a speedboat carrying three illegal aliens, an AR-style rifle, a handgun and four suspected pipe bombs.
A criminal complaint filed by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas states that Border Patrol agents went to the Port Mansfield docks after receiving a tip from the Port Mansfield Police Department. The report indicated that three people had boarded a speedboat-style vessel after leaving a nearby vehicle. Authorities watched as the boat departed the docks and headed north along the Intracoastal Waterway.
Court records say a law enforcement aircraft later spotted the vessel about 20 miles south of Corpus Christi. Border Patrol agents identified it as a boat Foss had previously operated as part of an ongoing investigation. Within hours of receiving the initial report about a possible smuggling operation, agents located the vessel at Bluff Landing.
Agents approached Foss as he tried to place the boat on a trailer and leave the landing. According to the complaint, Foss released the vessel from the trailer, climbed aboard and attempted to start the engine. Agents ordered him not to start the boat and instructed him to get off. Foss complied and was taken into custody.
After agents advised Foss of his rights, he agreed to answer questions and said three people were aboard the vessel. A subsequent search found three male passengers hiding in the cabin and an under-seat compartment. The men were later identified as individuals illegally present in the United States. Agents also discovered a handgun inside a bag, an AR-style rifle fitted with a loaded drum magazine and four suspected pipe bombs.
Foss told investigators he expected to receive $3,000 in cash for each person he transported, court documents state. He allegedly planned to take the passengers to Houston, Texas. The three men were identified as two Ecuadorian citizens and one Guatemalan national who were illegally present in the United States.
A detention memo filed with the court alleges that Foss has previously been involved in transporting illegal aliens. Authorities say Zapata County Sheriff’s deputies arrested him in 2023 after stopping a vehicle in South Texas. Three illegal aliens were allegedly concealed behind the vehicle’s seat and in the trunk area. The United States Attorney’s Office ultimately dismissed the charges in that case.
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Foss’s alleged immigration-smuggling activity is being prosecuted separately from an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives into the pipe bombs found aboard the boat.
As part of the explosives investigation, ATF agents executed a search warrant at Foss’s residence on October 8. Investigators seized five firearms, approximately 3,500 rounds of ammunition and various materials allegedly used to make pipe bombs.
If convicted of transporting illegal aliens in a manner involving life endangerment, Foss could face up to 20 years in federal prison.
Randy Clark is a 32-year veteran of the United States Border Patrol. Before his retirement, he served as the Division Chief for Law Enforcement Operations, directing operations for nine Border Patrol Stations within the Del Rio, Texas, Sector. Follow him on X (formerly Twitter) @RandyClarkBBTX.
Ildefonso Ortiz is an award-winning journalist with – News Foundation. He co-founded – News Foundation’s Cartel Chronicles project with Brandon Darby and senior – management. You can follow him on Twitter and on Facebook. He can be contacted at Iortiz@breitbart.com.
