18-Year-Old Sentenced to Prison for Flight from Immigration Checkpoint

TUCSON, Ariz. –Derek Ira Pablo Jr., 18, of Tucson, Arizona, was sentenced on Tuesday by United States District Judge John C. Hinderaker to 10 months in prison, followed by 36 months of supervised release. Pablo pleaded guilty to one count of High-Speed Flight from Immigration Checkpoint.

On November 3, 2022, Pablo drove his vehicle through a United States Border Patrol checkpoint on Arizona State Route 86 near Robles Junction, Arizona.  He did not slow down or stop as directed by the speed bumps and signage.  Pablo accelerated and operated his vehicle at speeds up to 100 mph in a 45 mile per hour zone during the chase, but would not stop as agents pursued him.  He finally stopped his vehicle because of a flat tire and then tried to flee on foot, but was apprehended and arrested. 

Customs and Border Protection’s United States Border Patrol conducted the investigation in this case. Assistant United States Attorney Brandon M. Bolling, District of Arizona, Tucson, handled the prosecution.

CASE NUMBER:            CR-22-2593-TUC-JCH AS (BGM)
RELEASE NUMBER:     2023-051_Pablo

# # #

For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/
Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, on Twitter @USAO_AZ for the latest news.