US Soldiers Hit With Human Smuggling Charges

Three Fort Cavazos soldiers face charges in an alleged conspiracy to smuggle undocumented immigrants across the US-Mexico border.

At a Glance

Three soldiers have been accused of smuggling undocumented immigrants from Mexico and Guatemala.
The incident allegedly occurred on November 27, involving a vehicle chase and injury to a Border Patrol agent.
The suspects face charges of “bringing in and harboring aliens” and assaulting a federal agent.
The case highlights ongoing challenges with border security and human smuggling operations.

Soldiers Arrested in Smuggling Operation

In a startling development at the US-Mexico border, three soldiers stationed at Fort Cavazos in central Texas have been implicated in a human smuggling operation. Emilio Mendoza Lopez, Angel Palma, and Enrique Jauregui are accused of conspiring to transport undocumented immigrants into the United States. The incident, which allegedly occurred on November 27, has raised concerns about the involvement of military personnel in illegal border activities.

According to reports, a U.S. Border Patrol agent initiated a vehicle stop in Presidio, Texas, leading to the discovery of one Mexican national and two Guatemalan nationals being transported illegally. The situation escalated when the vehicle attempted to flee, resulting in a collision with a Border Patrol vehicle.

Soldiers Emilio Mendoza Lopez, Angel Palma, 20, and Enrique Jauregui, 25, were arrested after a vehicle allegedly driven by Palma and carrying Mendoza Lopez, a Mexican national and two Guatemalan nationals was stopped Nov. 27 by law enforcement in Presidio along the border with…

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Chase and Apprehension

The Department of Justice reported that the fleeing vehicle “struck a second USBP vehicle, injuring an agent inside.” This dangerous maneuver led to a pursuit involving Presidio County deputies and police officers. In the aftermath, authorities apprehended the three undocumented immigrants and one soldier, Emilio Mendoza Lopez, at the scene.

The driver, identified as Angel Palma, managed to escape on foot initially. Prosecutors stated that Palma “fled on foot and was located the following day at a hotel in Odessa.” This brief period of evasion ended with his arrest, bringing all three soldiers into custody.

Charges and Evidence

The investigation revealed that Mendoza Lopez and Palma had allegedly traveled to Presidio with the intent to transport undocumented non-citizens. Text messages obtained from Palma’s phone reportedly show collaboration in the smuggling operation. The third soldier, Enrique Jauregui, is accused of recruiting and facilitating the scheme.

Mendoza Lopez faces one count of “bringing in and harboring aliens,” while Palma and Jauregui are charged with the same offense plus an additional charge of assaulting a federal agent. The severity of these charges underscores the serious nature of the alleged crimes and the potential consequences for military personnel involved in such activities.

Military Response and Ongoing Concerns

Fort Cavazos officials have acknowledged the arrests and stated their cooperation with law enforcement. An Army base spokesperson said, “We are aware of the arrest of three Fort Cavazos Soldiers.” This incident raises questions about the vetting and oversight of military personnel, especially those stationed near the border.

Other military personnel, such as National Guard member Emmanuel Oppongagyare and Army soldier Ralph Gregory Saint-Joiehave been charged in similar smuggling attempts in recent years. It highlights the ongoing challenges faced by border security forces and the complex nature of human smuggling operations.