A 34-year-old man from Pharr, Texas, Cesar Rafael Leon, has been taken into federal custody after a vehicle pursuit ended in a crash involving law enforcement. The incident occurred during an alleged human smuggling attempt in the Rio Grande Valley, according to an announcement by U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei.
Leon was already in custody on related charges and is scheduled for his initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Scott Hacker.
Authorities allege that Leon picked up five individuals who had crossed the Rio Grande River by raft in Mercedes. When law enforcement attempted to stop his vehicle, Leon reportedly failed to yield. Officers deployed a vehicle immobilization device, but Leon continued to evade police, eventually striking a Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) unit and driving the wrong way on the highway.
The complaint states that the chase lasted about 15 minutes and ended at a shopping plaza in Weslaco. Law enforcement officers apprehended Leon after a short foot pursuit and also took the five individuals into custody.
“As this office has stated on numerous prior occasions, human smugglers do not care about the lives or safety of those they transport. The people being smuggled are nothing more than cargo to these predators,” said Ganjei. “The Southern District of Texas urges all those who would consider placing themselves or their loved ones into the hands of these criminals to think twice. Stay home, stay safe.”
Leon faces smuggling charges that include an enhancement for placing lives in jeopardy. If convicted, he could receive up to 20 years in federal prison and a fine of up to $250,000.
The investigation was conducted by Border Patrol with assistance from Texas DPS, Hidalgo County Constables Office, and Hidalgo County District Attorney’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Devin V. Walker is prosecuting the case.
This case falls under Operation Take Back America—a nationwide effort led by the Department of Justice aimed at countering illegal immigration and dismantling criminal organizations through coordination with programs like Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces and Project Safe Neighborhoods.
Officials remind that criminal complaints are formal accusations rather than evidence; defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty through due legal process.
