A Mexican national, Johnathan Mata-Espinoza, 22, has been sentenced to federal prison for armed carjacking. U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei announced the sentence in Laredo, Texas.
Mata-Espinoza pleaded guilty on July 27, 2023, to two counts of armed carjacking. U.S. District Judge Keith P. Ellison imposed a 108-month prison term. As Mata-Espinoza is not a U.S. citizen, he is expected to face removal proceedings after serving his sentence.
The court considered a victim impact statement and additional evidence regarding Mata-Espinoza’s involvement with Cartel Del Noreste during the hearing.
"People have the right to raise their families and live their lives without some criminal shoving a gun in their face and threatening their families," said Ganjei. "Cases like this demonstrate the corrosive effects the cartels have on our border communities."
On July 27, 2023, Mata-Espinoza approached two adults and a child entering their vehicle and demanded a ride to the bus station. When they refused, he threatened them with violence while displaying a weapon.
One of the victims handed over the keys before all three escaped safely. Authorities later located the stolen vehicle but Mata-Espinoza fled after briefly halting for law enforcement commands.
Later that night, he attempted another carjacking by blocking another vehicle and threatening its occupant with a concealed firearm when they refused his demand.
Authorities eventually arrested Mata-Espinoza on September 15, 2023, as he exited a bus in Laredo.
Mata-Espinoza remains in custody awaiting transfer to a Federal Bureau of Prisons facility.
The FBI conducted the investigation with help from the Laredo Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Andrew P. Hakala-Finch and Brandon S. Bowling prosecuted the case.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America by the Department of Justice aimed at eliminating cartels and transnational criminal organizations while protecting communities from violent crime perpetrators.
