A Texas man has been sentenced to 18 months in federal prison after being convicted of assaulting a U.S. Border Patrol (USBP) agent. Kevin Dominguez, 26, of Katy, Texas, was found guilty following an incident at a Border Patrol checkpoint on U.S. Highway 57 on August 1, 2023.
According to court records, Dominguez approached the checkpoint where a trained USBP canine alerted agents to suspicious activity in his vehicle’s trunk. Upon inspection, agents discovered an individual hidden inside. Instead of complying with the authorities, Dominguez reversed his vehicle and struck one of the agents before fleeing the scene at high speed.
The USBP agents quickly initiated a high-speed pursuit. A USBP helicopter tracked the vehicle, which eventually came to a stop in a nearby field, where two individuals fled on foot. One of the individuals was apprehended and identified as an undocumented immigrant from Honduras. Dominguez was indicted on two charges on September 13, 2023, and was arrested the following day. He later pleaded guilty to the charges on January 24, 2024, which resulted in an 18-month prison sentence.
This case serves as a stark reminder of the risks faced by Border Patrol agents in the line of duty, especially amid heightened enforcement efforts against illegal immigration and human smuggling operations.
Border Enforcement Actions in El Paso
In a separate case highlighting continued immigration enforcement efforts, federal authorities in El Paso, Texas, arrested four individuals involved in a suspected smuggling operation. Agents from the Ysleta Border Patrol Station’s Disrupt Unit were monitoring a local motel known to house undocumented immigrants when they noticed a suspicious vehicle with a temporary license plate frequently visiting multiple motels in the area.
Court documents state that the driver briefly entered the motel lobby before leaving in a different vehicle, also displaying a temporary license plate. Agents observed three individuals exiting a motel room and getting into the second vehicle. The driver, identified as Yair Alejandro Aguilar-Flores, admitted to being a Mexican national residing in the U.S. unlawfully. Two other suspects, Angel Eduardo Carrillo-Carrillo and Jorge Alfredo Lopez-Acevedo, were also detained after revealing that more undocumented migrants were inside the motel room.
Authorities discovered and detained seven additional undocumented individuals during the investigation. Later, agents observed the initial driver, Jesus David Reyes-Villagran, returning to the motel, where he claimed ownership of the room and admitted to transporting five other undocumented individuals to another motel in El Paso.
The suspects in this smuggling operation are now facing serious criminal charges. If convicted, Aguilar-Flores, Carrillo-Carrillo, Lopez-Acevedo, and Reyes-Villagran could each face up to 10 years in prison. The final sentences for these individuals will be determined based on federal sentencing guidelines and other relevant legal considerations.
Honduran Citizen Arrested for Illegal Re-Entry
In yet another border-related case, federal agents arrested Melvin Armando Funes-Canales, a Honduran national, in Austin, Texas, for illegal re-entry into the United States. Funes-Canales had previously been deported and had a criminal history that included prior convictions for burglary, grand theft, and illegal re-entry.
Court records indicate that Funes-Canales was initially detained in the Williamson County jail on July 16, 2024, for possession of a controlled substance. Further investigation revealed that he had been deported on October 9, 2020, and had a record of five prior deportations. His criminal history adds to the charges he now faces for illegal re-entry.
If convicted of illegal re-entry, Funes-Canales could face up to 10 years in federal prison. Like the other cases, his sentence will be determined by a federal judge, considering U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the facts of the case.
Conclusion
These recent cases underscore the ongoing federal efforts to secure the U.S. border, combat human smuggling, and enforce immigration laws. With rising immigration enforcement crackdowns and increased scrutiny on illegal re-entry, border authorities continue to take action against individuals involved in illegal immigration and criminal activity. The consequences for these offenses remain severe, with those convicted facing lengthy prison sentences, highlighting the federal government’s commitment to upholding immigration law and securing the nation’s borders. READ MORE BELLOW!!
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