Alien Smuggler who Crashed into Kingsville NAS Ordered to Prison

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – An alien smuggler has been sentenced for his involvement in a single vehicle accident that occurred in Kleberg County, announced U.S. Attorney Kenneth Magidson. Mario Rodriguez-Gomez, 25, a Mexican National who was illegally residing in Houston, pleaded guilty June 14, 2016, to conspiracy to transport illegal aliens causing serious bodily injury.

Today, U.S. District Judge Nelva Gonzalez Ramos ordered Rodriguez-Gomez to serve 46 months imprisonment. As a Mexican National, he is expected to face deportation proceedings following his release from prison.

The conviction stems from a May 14, 2016, single vehicle accident in Kleberg County that resulted in numerous injuries, including a passenger being ejected from the vehicle. All of the vehicle’s occupants were determined to be undocumented aliens from Mexico, Honduras, El Salvador and Guatemala.

On that date, Rodriguez-Gomez attempted to flee from law enforcement officers at a high rate of speed. His vehicle hit the activated security barrier gate at the entrance to Naval Air Station – Kingsville. After the collision, Rodriguez-Gomez attempted to abscond into the Naval Base. A total of 15 individuals were apprehended.

In federal custody since his arrest, Rodriguez-Gomez will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s - Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation along with Border Patrol and U.S. Navy Military Police.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Lance Watt prosecuted the case.