Mexican National Flew From California to Texas to Smuggle Aliens, Will Spend 5 Years in Federal Prison

DEL RIO, Texas – A Mexican national who had resided illegally in Vallejo, California was sentenced in a federal court in Del Rio to 66 months in prison for conspiracy to transport illegal aliens placing lives in jeopardy.

According to court documents, on July 10, 2024, a U.S. Border Patrol agent initiated a lawful immigration stop of a pickup truck suspected of picking up undocumented noncitizens near U.S. Route 277 in Eagle Pass. The driver, Guillermo Hernandez-Gonzalez, 23, refused to yield and led agents on a 25-mile pursuit at speeds between 50 and 80 mph. At one point during the pursuit, Hernandez-Gonzalez placed his truck in reverse and crashed into an agent’s patrol vehicle as he was attempting to exit.

The pursuit came to an end when Hernandez-Gonzalez crashed into a cattle fence and telephone pole. He attempted to flee from the scene but was quickly apprehended by responding agents who discovered a total of seven illegal aliens in the truck. Three of the aliens were in the truck’s bed, while four sat in the cabin. Two of the seven were transported to the hospital to be treated for a lacerated scalp and sprained ankle.

Hernandez-Gonzalez admitted that he learned of the alien smuggling opportunity through an advertisement on Instagram, which offered to pay him between $7,700 and $15,000. Hernandez-Gonzalez flew from Oakland, California to San Antonio and followed instructions from an unindicted co-conspirator.

Acting U.S. Attorney Margaret Leachman for the Western District of Texas made the announcement.

USBP investigated the case with support from the Maverick County Sheriff's Office.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Jayvee Rhoda prosecuted the case.

These cases are part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).

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