A number of joint federal operations have rewarded authorities with numerous arrests and convictions throughout Texas. They reiterate the government’s decision to take strong action on unlawful entry and similar crimes.
An assault against a Border Patrol Agent in Katy, Texas
U.S. Highway 57 in Katy, Texas, was interrupted by a routine checkpoint inspection that soon turned violent. A 26-year-old man named Kevin Dominguez came to the checkpoint while driving his car. The trained canine with the Border Patrol indicated there was something unusual in the trunk. During inspection, agents noticed that someone was inside the container.
Instead of submitting, Dominguez put his car in reverse, hit a Border Patrol agent and fled. Two people were spotted on camera getting out of the car and walking into an open space. An undocumented person from Honduras was found as one of the travelers.
On the 13th of September 2023, Dominguez was indicted and was taken into custody the next day. On January 24, 2024, he admitted guilt and was told he would serve 18 months in federal prison. The case reveals how law enforcement personnel are at risk and how quickly justice operates against these threats.
Multiple El Paso Smuggling Arrests
Federal officials took down a smuggling group that was running its business out of local motels in El Paso. The Disrupt Unit of the Ysleta Border Patrol Station kept an eye on a motel that is popular with undocumented immigrants. They saw that a vehicle with a short-term license tag visited many hotels.
The driver stepped inside the motel lobby for a short while and then left in another vehicle with temporary plates. They shortly exited a motel room and got into the second idle vehicle. Yair Alejandro Aguilar-Flores, who has permission to stay in the U.S., was the one driving the car and was apprehended by police. Angel Eduardo Carrillo-Carrillo and Jorge Alfredo Lopez-Acevedo are among those who were also detained.
After further investigations, seven additional undocumented people connected to the motel were arrested. In the evening, Jesus David Reyes-Villagran visited the motel again, saying that the room migrants were using was his. He reportedly helped transfer five undocumented individuals from one place to another hotel.
Suspects may be charged with serious crimes and could be sentenced to up to 10 years in prison before any court proceeding.
Repeating a Crime of Illegal Re-Entry
Another example is that Melvin Armando Funes, a citizen of Honduras, was arrested by federal officials for coming back to the United States illegally. He was sent back to Mexico after being deported from the U.S., but was later located living there unlawfully. Police actions against him highlight the continuous work being done to capture repeat offenders and maintain immigration regulations.
