A Mexican national residing illegally in Laredo has been sentenced for reentering the United States unlawfully and human smuggling, according to U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei.
Jesus Hernandez-Herrera, 36, pleaded guilty on March 27. U.S. District Judge John Kazen sentenced him to 66 months in federal prison. As he is not a U.S. citizen, he is expected to face removal proceedings after serving his sentence. During the hearing, evidence was presented regarding Hernandez-Herrera's criminal history, including an incident where he evaded arrest by driving towards a federal agent and almost hitting a pedestrian during a vehicle pursuit. The court noted his lack of remorse when handing down the sentence.
Hernandez-Herrera had previously been removed from the United States five times.
The events leading to his arrest began on December 10, 2024, when authorities observed a Ford Expedition and Cadillac stopped at an intersection with three suspected illegal aliens approaching them. Hernandez-Herrera was driving the Expedition.
Authorities followed him to a residence on Green Street where they saw suspected illegal aliens enter his vehicle. When law enforcement attempted to stop him, Hernandez-Herrera led them on a high-speed chase through heavy traffic at speeds reaching 95 miles per hour.
The chase concluded when Hernandez-Herrera crashed into two vehicles on Santa Maria Avenue and fled with four illegal aliens on foot. He ran into traffic but was apprehended before crossing onto IH-35's southbound lanes.
Hernandez-Herrera confessed and admitted there were more individuals illegally present at the Green Street residence. Authorities found four additional people and approximately 50.8 kilograms of marijuana there.
Ganjei commented, "The human smuggling trade endangers our community in many ways, not the least of which is high-speed vehicular flights like the one in this case." He added that with five prior removals, Hernandez-Herrera "should have never been in this country."
Hernandez-Herrera will remain in custody until transferred to a Federal Bureau of Prisons facility.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement - Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation with assistance from Texas Department of Public Safety and Border Patrol. Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew P. Hakala-Finch prosecuted the case.
This case falls under Operation Take Back America, an initiative aimed at combating illegal immigration and transnational criminal organizations while protecting communities from violent crime perpetrators.
