Federal authorities have charged three U.S. Army soldiers in an alleged cross-border human smuggling attempt.
In an emailed statement, a Fort Cavazos official identified all three soldiers as members of the U.S. Army’s 3rd Cavalry regiment, a component of the III Armored Corps. The official identified Palma as an infantryman, Jauregui as a Stryker systems maintainer, and Mendoza Lopez as a wheeled vehicle mechanic.
Authorities said they became aware of the alleged smuggling attempt when a U.S. Border Patrol agent stopped a vehicle in the west Texas border town of Presidio on Nov. 27. According to a complaint, as the Border Patrol agent approached the vehicle, the driver sped away, clipping another Border Patrol vehicle and injuring an agent inside.
Presidio County deputies and police officers pursued the fleeing vehicle, again bringing it to a stop. The driver of the vehicle, whom prosecutors identified as Palma, reportedly fled on foot as police closed in.
Police found four other individuals still in the car when they stopped it, including Mendoza Lopez and three foreign nationals who lacked legal documentation to be in the United States, one Mexican and two Guatemalans.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Mendoza Lopez identified himself to arresting authorities as the front-seat passenger in the vehicle.
Authorities searched Palma’s phone after obtaining a search warrant and, the prosecution said, identified messages between Palma, Mendoza Lopez, and Jauregui, indicating a collaborative effort to engage in the cross-border smuggling effort.
Prosecutors alleged Jauregui, who was not present during the Nov. 27 incident in Presidio, was the recruiter and facilitator for the smuggling operation.
Mendoza Lopez made his initial court appearance on Dec. 2. He stands charged with one count of bringing in and harboring aliens.
An attorney for Mendoza Lopez declined a request for comment from The Epoch Times.
Authorities arrested Palma and Jauregui at Fort Cavazos on Dec. 3. They are charged with one count each for bringing in and harboring aliens, and one count of assaulting a federal agent. Palma and Jauregui are scheduled to make their first court appearance on Dec. 6.
No attorneys are listed for Palma or Jauregui at this time.
Fort Cavazos said in an emailed press statement, “We are aware of the arrest of three Fort Cavazos Soldiers. III Armored Corps will continue to cooperate with all federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies.”
Other U.S. military service members have been arrested and charged in the past for attempting to facilitate cross-border smuggling attempts.
During his first term, President Donald Trump repeatedly deployed U.S. military personnel to assist in border security efforts. Throughout President Joe Biden’s time in office, several states have continued to send their National Guard troops to assist in a Texas-led effort to prevent illegal border crossing attempts.
