A man from Katy, Texas, has been sentenced to 18 months in federal prison after being convicted of assaulting a U.S. Border Patrol agent. According to court documents, 26‑year‑old Kevin Dominguez drove his sedan to a Border Patrol checkpoint on U.S. Highway 57 on August 1, 2023. During his approach, a trained USBP canine alerted agents to movement in his trunk, where an individual was discovered. Instead of stopping, Dominguez reversed and struck an agent with his vehicle before fleeing the scene.
A high‑speed chase ensued, and a USBP helicopter later observed two occupants exiting the vehicle into an open field. One of these individuals was quickly located and identified as an undocumented noncitizen from Honduras. Dominguez was indicted on a two‑count indictment on September 13, 2023, and was arrested the following day. He ultimately pleaded guilty on January 24, 2024, leading to his 18‑month sentence.
Additional Border Enforcement Actions in El Paso
In a separate development highlighting ongoing efforts to combat illegal immigration, federal authorities in El Paso, Texas, arrested four individuals on charges related to a scheme for smuggling undocumented immigrants. Agents from the Ysleta Border Patrol Station’s Disrupt Unit were monitoring a motel known to house undocumented foreigners when they spotted a car bearing a temporary license plate. This vehicle had been seen at several hotels in the area.
According to official court records, the driver briefly entered the motel lobby before leaving in a different car—also sporting a temporary license plate. Shortly thereafter, agents witnessed three individuals exiting a motel room and boarding that second vehicle. Yair Alejandro Aguilar‑Flores, the driver, admitted that he is from Mexico and is living in the United States illegally. Two others, Angel Eduardo Carrillo‑Carrillo and Jorge Alfredo Lopez‑Acevedo, were also apprehended after confirming that additional undocumented migrants were staying in the room.
Further investigation led agents to arrest seven more undocumented individuals associated with the same motel. As the operation was concluding, authorities observed the driver from the first car returning to the motel. He approached a room where migrants were being held and knocked on the door. When questioned, Jesus David Reyes‑Villagran claimed the room was his and stated he had just returned from dropping off five other undocumented individuals at a different hotel in El Paso.
All involved in the smuggling operation now face serious charges, and if convicted, Aguilar‑Flores, Carrillo‑Carrillo, Lopez‑Acevedo, and Reyes‑Villagran could each face up to 10 years in prison. Their sentences will be determined based on the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines along with other pertinent legal factors.
Crackdown on Repeat Offenders: Honduran Citizen Arrested for Illegal Re-Entry
In yet another case underscoring the strict enforcement of U.S. border laws, federal officials arrested Melvin Armando Funes‑Canales, a Honduran citizen with a long criminal history. Funes‑Canales, who had been previously deported on multiple occasions, was taken into custody in Austin on charges related to illegal re‑entry. Court records reveal that he was held in the Williamson County jail around July 16, 2024, initially on suspicion of possessing a controlled substance.
Investigations later confirmed that Funes‑Canales had been deported back to Honduras on or about October 9, 2020, along with five prior deportations. His criminal record includes convictions for burglary, grand theft, and illegal re‑entry. Facing a charge of illegal re‑entry, Funes‑Canales could receive a sentence of up to 10 years in prison if convicted. As with the other cases, his final sentence will be determined by a federal district court judge using the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and relevant legal criteria.
A String of Enforcement Actions Reflects Broader Efforts
These recent cases—ranging from the violent incident involving Kevin Dominguez to the coordinated smuggling bust in El Paso and the arrest of a repeat offender—highlight the ongoing efforts by U.S. federal agencies to enforce immigration laws rigorously. Authorities are leaving no stone unturned in their mission to uphold border security, whether by using highly trained canines and aerial surveillance or by coordinating ground operations that target smuggling networks.
While incidents like these draw sharp media attention, they also serve as a stark reminder of the challenges faced at the U.S. border. Enforcement officials continue to pursue aggressive measures to deter illegal entry and to ensure that those who break the law face the full consequences of the justice system. As the legal processes unfold in these cases, federal agencies remain committed to maintaining national security and safeguarding public safety from potential threats associated with unlawful border crossings.
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