Alien Smuggler Sentenced for Role in Fatal Crash Following High-Speed Pursuit

SAN DIEGO – Sergio Josue Palomera of Chula Vista was sentenced in federal court today to 71 months in prison for smuggling undocumented immigrants in a manner that resulted in the deaths of the two people he was smuggling.

On October 22, 2024, Palomera picked up two undocumented immigrants —a man and a woman—in his car near the U.S.–Mexico border in Otay Mesa. Border Patrol agents saw this load-up using remote video surveillance, and an agent responded to the location. The agent saw Palomera’s car traveling west on State Route 905 and activated his lights and sirens to pull the car over.

According to his plea agreement, Palomera initially slowed down and began to move over onto a highway offramp, as if yielding to the Border Patrol agent’s attempt to pull him over. Palomera then quickly accelerated, drove through a red traffic light, and re-entered the highway in an attempt to flee. By the time the agent could safely proceed through the traffic light and onto the highway, Palomera had gained considerable distance. As he lost sight of the car, the agent decided to terminate the pursuit. Soon after, he saw a cloud of dust in the direction Palomera had been fleeing.

Palomera was traveling over 110 miles per hour in a 65-mph zone. In less than minute, Palomera lost control of the car and it rolled over. The smuggled woman was ejected from the car and died instantly. The smuggled man suffered a traumatic head injury and died from his injuries later that evening in the hospital.

At today’s hearing, U.S. District Judge Todd W. Robinson emphasized the “very aggravated” nature of the offense, noting that the crime “has deprived a little girl of her mother, has deprived that little girl’s father of his wife, and has deprived another family of their son.”

U.S. Attorney Adam Gordon said: “This defendant treated human lives as disposable cargo - and two people paid the ultimate price. This sentence reflects the grave consequences of putting profit over people. We will continue to hold smugglers accountable for the death and suffering their crimes inflict.”

“We are glad Mr. Palomera will be held accountable for his irresponsible and senseless actions,” said Acting Chief Patrol Agent Jeffrey Stalnaker. “This case emphasizes the dangers and possible consequences of entrusting your life to a human smuggler.”

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney David Fawcett.

DEFENDANT                                                            Case Number: 24cr2466                              

Sergio Josue Palomera                                               Age: 23                       Chula Vista, CA

SUMMARY OF CHARGES

Transportation of Certain Aliens Resulting in Death – Title 8, U.S.C., Section 1324(a)(1)(A)(ii) and (B)(iv)

Maximum penalty: Death or life in prison; $250,000 fine

INVESTIGATING AGENCY

United States Border Patrol

This case was investigated and prosecuted by the California Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) as part of Operation Take Back America. HSTFs, which were established by President Trump in Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion, are joint operations led by the Department of Justice and the Department of Homeland Security. Operation Take Back America is a nationwide federal initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).