U.S. Citizen Arrested After Failed Human Smuggling Attempt

DEL RIO, TX – U.S. Border Patrol agents assigned to the Carrizo Springs Station arrested a 20-year-old United States citizen for attempting to smuggle four undocumented immigrants in a pickup truck.

On April 23, agents conducting roving patrol near Carrizo Springs observed the driver of a pickup truck pull over to the side of the road on FM 2691 and load up four suspected undocumented immigrants that ran out of the brush. The agents attempted to conduct a vehicle stop by activating their emergency lights and sirens but the driver failed to yield and accelerated his speed. Responding Texas Department of Public Safety troopers disabled one of the vehicle’s tires with a controlled tire deflation device.

The vehicle came to a stop and the driver and four passengers ran out and attempted to abscond into the brush. After a brief search, all five individuals were located and arrested.The four passengers were positively identified as undocumented Mexican nationals, all previously deported from the United States. They will be processed per U.S. Customs and Border Protection guidelines.

“Human smugglers have no regard for the people they attempt to smuggle or for the citizens of our communities,” said Del Rio Sector Chief Patrol Agent Raul L. Ortiz. “I commend the Border Patrol agents and our law enforcement partners for foiling this human smuggling attempt and quickly bringing it to an end.”

The driver faces federal prosecution for 8 USC § 1324 – alien smuggling, which carries a maximum sentence of up to 10 years in prison.

All individuals apprehended by the U.S. Border Patrol undergo criminal history checks utilizing multiple databases including the use of biometrics to ensure those with criminal history are positively identified regardless of their immigration status.

The Del Rio Border Patrol Sector is part of the Joint Task Force-West South Texas Corridor, which leverages federal, state and local resources to combat transnational criminal organizations. To report suspicious activity call the Del Rio Sector’s toll free number at 1-866-511-8727.