Source: United States Department of Justice News
DEL RIO, Texas – A Perryton man was sentenced today in Federal court in Del Rio to 41 months in prison for one count of conspiracy to transport illegal aliens resulting in serious bodily injury or placing lives in jeopardy.
According to court documents, Caleb Hernandez, 21, led a U.S. Border Patrol (USBP) agent and Kinney County Sheriff’s Office (KCSO) deputies on a high-speed chase on Highway 90 near Brackettville, allowing multiple suspected undocumented individuals out of the vehicle at various locations. At one point during the pursuit, Hernandez drove into opposite lanes of traffic and onto the shoulder. He eventually lost control of the vehicle, rolling over and landing upside down. Hernandez and four undocumented noncitizens were removed from the vehicle.
Hernandez has remained in custody since March 13, 2021. He pleaded guilty on July 19, 2021. In addition to his prison term, Hernandez was ordered to serve three years of supervised release following his incarceration. He was also ordered to pay a $3,000 fine.
“This defendant put untold lives at risk by evading law enforcement the way he did,” said U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza of the Western District of Texas. “Offenders who illegally smuggle undocumented individuals into the U.S. and across this district must never doubt that they will be caught, and that our justice system will see that they are prosecuted.”
“Human smugglers have no respect for human life, as demonstrated by this defendant,” said Special Agent in Charge Craig Larrabee of the Western District of Texas. “Those responsible for illegally moving people into and through our country place their personal profit above everything else. They are driven by greed with little regard for the health and well-being of their passengers. HSI is committed to investigating smugglers and holding them accountable for their actions.”
HSI, USBP and the KCSO investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Rex Beasley prosecuted the case.
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