A federal judge has sentenced an illegal alien and a Laredo man each to three years in prison after they pleaded guilty to charges of transporting illegal aliens and assaulting federal agents in separate cases.
According to the DOJ’s office, both Juan Lopez, 24, and Adrian Pimentel-Garcia, 20, will face three years in federal prison. Pimentel-Garcia, who is not a U.S. citizen, will likely face removal after completing his sentence.
On Dec. 4, Lopez was arrested by Border Patrol agents in southwest Laredo while attempting to transport seven illegal aliens.
After resisting arrest, he and a Border Patrol agent fell from a 12-foot cliff.
While handing down the sentence, U.S. District Judge Diana Saldana expressed relief that Lopez’ reckless behavior did not result in the death of either himself or the agent.
One of the illegal aliens Lopez was transporting testified that he had agreed to pay Lopez 160,000 quetzales (about $21,000) monthly to be smuggled into the country.
A day later, Pimentel-Garcia was caught smuggling 4 illegal aliens in south Laredo.
While attempting to escape, he jumped off a rooftop and kicked a Border Patrol agent in the face.
He later admitted that he had previously smuggled multiple groups and was to be paid $100 per person transported.
The cases are part of Operation Take Back America, which the DOJ describes as an effort “to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations, and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.”
