A Texas man, Kevin Dominguez (26), has been handed an 18-month federal prison sentence after pleading guilty to assaulting a U.S. Border Patrol (USBP) agent. The incident occurred on August 1, 2023, at a border checkpoint along U.S. Highway 57.
According to court documents, Dominguez drove up to the checkpoint and was flagged when a USBP canine detected possible contraband in his trunk. Agents discovered an individual hidden inside the vehicle. Instead of complying, Dominguez reversed his car—striking an agent—before fleeing the scene at high speed. A helicopter-assisted pursuit ended with the arrest of an undocumented immigrant from Honduras and led to Dominguez’s indictment on September 13, 2023. He ultimately pleaded guilty on January 24, 2024, resulting in his 18-month prison term.
El Paso Operations Target Smuggling
In a separate development, agents with the Ysleta Border Patrol Station’s Disrupt Unit arrested four individuals in El Paso connected to an alleged human smuggling ring. Surveillance at a local motel—reputed for hosting undocumented immigrants—led to multiple arrests. One of the detained, Yair Alejandro Aguilar-Flores, admitted to being in the U.S. unlawfully. Two others, Angel Eduardo Carrillo-Carrillo and Jorge Alfredo Lopez-Acevedo, also confessed they were involved, revealing that more undocumented individuals were in a motel room. In total, authorities detained seven additional undocumented immigrants.
Another suspect, Jesus David Reyes-Villagran, who returned to the motel later, claimed ownership of a room and stated he had recently transported five more undocumented persons to a second motel. If found guilty, all involved could face up to 10 years in prison, as per federal guidelines.
Repeat Offender Charged with Illegal Re-Entry
Meanwhile, federal agents in Austin apprehended Melvin Armando Funes-Canales, a Honduran national with a history of deportations. Records indicate multiple removals dating back to 2020, including criminal convictions for burglary, grand theft, and prior illegal re-entry. Following his most recent arrest for alleged re-entry, he faces up to 10 years in federal prison if convicted.
These arrests underscore ongoing border enforcement efforts and the clampdown on human smuggling operations. Law enforcement officials highlight the continuing dedication of U.S. Border Patrol and partner agencies in preventing unlawful entries, safeguarding American communities, and upholding federal immigration laws.
For additional insights into immigration policies and ongoing law enforcement actions, visit U.S. Customs and Border Protection, a trusted federal source for updates on border security matters.
