News Release [print friendly page]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 14, 2008
Public Affairs Officer
Angela Dodge
(713) 567-9388

Passenger in Vehicle Involved in
Fatal Chase Charged with Drug Trafficking

AUG 14 --(LAREDO, Texas) – David Eleazar Dominguez, 43, a passenger in a Chevy Suburban involved in a car chase has been charged by criminal complaint with possession with intent to distribute more than 66 kilograms of cocaine found inside the vehicle, United States Attorney Don DeGabrielle announced today.

Originally charged by the state, Dominguez has been transferred into federal custody to face the new federal charges. Dominguez made an initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Adriana Arce this morning. The court has issued a temporary order of detention pending a detention hearing set for Tues., Aug. 19, 2008, at 9:00 a.m.

Dominguez was arrested Mon., Aug. 11, 2008, after Webb County Sheriff’s Deputies discovered approximately 66.5 kilograms of cocaine inside a blue Chevrolet Suburban with Texas plates, in which Dominguez rode a passenger. According to allegations in the criminal complaint filed in federal court yesterday, the driver of the Suburban failed to stop for law enforcement and ultimately crashed in the area of Mines Road and IH-35. Both the driver and Dominguez attempted to flee the scene after crashing the vehicle. The driver was struck by a vehicle while attempting to cross IH-35 and was killed. Dominguez was apprehended. During an inspection of the Suburban, deputies discovered and seized 58 bundles of cocaine weighing 66.5 kilograms in the rear cargo area of the Suburban.

The investigation leading to the charges was conducted by deputies of the Webb County Sheriff’s Department and the Laredo office of the Drug Enforcement Administration. The case will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Roberto Ramirez.

A complaint is an accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence. A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law.

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