Repeat illegal alien sentenced for human smuggling after high-speed chase, crash

LAREDO, Texas – A 36-year-old Mexican national who illegally resided in Laredo has been sentenced for unlawfully reentering the country and human smuggling, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei.

Jesus Hernandez-Herrera pleaded guilty March 27.

U.S. District Judge John Kazen has now ordered Hernandez-Herrera to serve 66 months in federal prison. Not a U.S. citizen, he is expected to face removal proceedings again following his imprisonment. At the hearing, the court heard additional evidence that described Hernandez-Herrera’s criminal history, including an evading arrest incident in which he drove his car towards a federal agent, almost collided with a pedestrian and engaged in a dangerous vehicle pursuit. In handing down the sentence, the court noted that Hernandez-Herrera did not seem remorseful for what he did.

Hernandez-Herrera also has five prior removals from the United States.

On Dec. 10, 2024, a Ford Expedition and Cadillac were driving in tandem and stopped at an intersection, where three suspected illegal aliens approached the two vehicles. Hernandez-Herrera had been driving the Expedition.

Authorities followed him to a residence on Green Street where they observed suspected illegal aliens leave the house and enter the vehicle. When law enforcement attempted a traffic stop, Hernandez-Herrera fled and lead them on a high-speed pursuit, weaving in and out of heavy traffic and speeds reaching 95 miles per hour.

The pursuit ended when Hernandez-Herrera crashed into two vehicles on Santa Maria Avenue. He and four illegal aliens fled on foot. Hernandez-Herrera ran into oncoming traffic, but law enforcement apprehended him before he could cross onto the southbound lanes of IH-35.

Hernandez-Herrera ultimately confessed, admitting there were additional aliens at the Green Street residence. Authorities discovered an additional four people illegally in the United States and approximately 50.8 kilograms of marijuana at the location.

“The human smuggling trade endangers our community in many ways, not the least of which is high-speed vehicular flights like the one in this case,” said Ganjei. “This defendant, with his five prior removals, should have never been in this country, but now he’ll have the opportunity to stay in federal custody for several more years before being removed for one last time.”

Hernandez-Herrera will remain in custody pending transfer to a Federal Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement - Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation with the assistance of Texas Department of Public Safety and Border Patrol. Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew P. Hakala-Finch prosecuted the case.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide 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 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 and Project Safe Neighborhood.