Southern District of Texas

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – A 36-year-old San Benito man has been ordered to federal prison following his conviction of smuggling eight non-U.S. citizens, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.

Rogelio Garcia pleaded guilty March 15.

Today, U.S. District Judge David S. Morales ordered Ruiz to serve 37 months in federal prison to be immediately followed by two years of supervised release. At the hearing, the court heard how Garcia led officers on a high-speed chase through the town of Sinton, putting the smuggled individuals and surrounding motorists in danger. In discussing the factors impacting the sentence, the court remarked on the danger to which Garcia exposed both the aliens and other motorists and noted the serious nature of his conduct.

On Jan. 23, law enforcement attempted to conduct a traffic stop. Garcia was driving and did not yield to them. He then led officers on a 10-mile chase, reaching speeds up to 90 miles per hour. The chase led into the town of Sinton, where Garcia ran stop signs and forced other vehicles to pull to the side of the road to avoid his vehicle.

Ultimately, Garcia lost control and veered off the roadway onto railroad tracks. At that time, approximately eight people fled into the nearby brush, three of whom authorities located and placed in custody.

Garcia has been and will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.

Border Patrol conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Tyler Foster prosecuted the case.