BRACKETTVILLE, Texas – U.S. Border Patrol agents assigned to the Brackettville Station, in collaboration with Kinney County Sheriff’s Office, rescued a man pinned under a vehicle, July 19.
Kinney County Sheriff’s Office requested assistance with a vehicle pursuit on Highway 90. Agents responded as a stolen Gray 2006 Chevrolet 2500 sped through the small town of Brackettville and turned onto Highway 131. The chase continued as far as Spofford, where the vehicle crashed and rolled. A Border Patrol EMT arrived, and discovered a man pinned down by the vehicle. The Border Patrol EMT quickly unpinned the individual and provided care until Emergency Medical Services arrived. The Border Patrol EMT assessed all subjects for injuries. In total, five illegal aliens were arrested. The smuggler, a citizen of El Salvador was attempting to smuggle four Mexican citizens.
“The relationships with our fellow law enforcement agencies increases the safety and security of our communities,” said Del Rio Sector Chief Patrol Agent Austin L. Skero II. “Great work stopping this dangerous criminal and saving the lives of those he endangered.”
The driver, Wilson Gonzalez-Paniagua, 20, is named in a criminal complaint charging violation of 8 USC § 1324, Alien Smuggling, which carries penalties of up to 10 years in prison.
All illegal aliens were processed in accordance with U.S. Customs and Border Protection guidelines.
A criminal complaint is merely a charge and should not be considered as evidence of guilt. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
To report suspicious activity call the Del Rio Sector’s toll free number at 1-866-511-8727.
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