A 28-year-old Corpus Christi man faces a federal charge of transporting illegal aliens after U.S. Border Patrol agents stopped a speedboat-style vessel in Port Mansfield, Texas, on October 6. Agents identified the pilot as Alec Ray Foss and found three illegal aliens, an AR-style rifle, a pistol, and four suspected pipe bombs aboard the boat.
According to a criminal complaint filed by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas, Border Patrol agents went to the Port Mansfield docks after the local police department reported seeing three people leave a nearby vehicle and board a speedboat-style vessel. Authorities watched as the boat departed and headed north along the Intracoastal Waterway.
Court documents state that a law enforcement aircraft later spotted the vessel about 20 miles south of Corpus Christi. Border Patrol agents recognized it as a boat Foss had previously operated during an ongoing investigation. Within hours of receiving the initial report, agents found the vessel at Bluff Landing.
Agents approached Foss as he tried to load the boat onto a trailer and leave the landing. The complaint alleges that Foss unlatched the vehicle from the trailer, climbed aboard the vessel, and attempted to start its engine. Agents ordered him not to start the boat and told him to get off. Foss complied and was taken into custody.
After being advised of his rights and agreeing to speak with investigators, Foss told agents that three people were aboard the vessel. A search allegedly found three men concealed in the cabin and an under-seat compartment. The men were later identified as being illegally present in the United States. Agents also recovered a handgun inside a bag, an AR-style rifle with a loaded drum magazine attached, and four suspected pipe bombs.
According to court records, Foss told authorities he expected to receive $3,000 in cash for each illegal alien after transporting them to Houston, Texas. The three passengers 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 deputies with the Zapata County Sheriff’s Department arrested him in 2023 after stopping a vehicle in South Texas. Foss was allegedly driving with three illegal aliens concealed behind the seat and in the trunk area. The U.S. Attorney’s Office ultimately dropped the charges in that case.
Separate from the federal case accusing Foss of transporting illegal aliens, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives is investigating the suspected pipe bombs found aboard the vessel.
As part of that investigation, ATF agents executed a search warrant at Foss’s residence on October 8. Investigators seized five firearms, 3,500 rounds of ammunition, and various materials allegedly used to construct pipe bombs.
If convicted of transporting illegal aliens while endangering their lives, Foss could face a maximum sentence of 20 years in 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.