McALLEN, Texas – A 38-year-old Mexican national who was trying to escape from law enforcement and nearly struck a Border Patrol (BP) agent in the process has been ordered to federal prison, announced U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick.
Miguel Mendez-Fajardo pleaded guilty March 28, 2019.
Today, U.S, District Judge Randy Crane ordered him to prison for a total of 44 months. Not a U.S. citizen, Mendez-Fajardo is expected to face deportation proceedings following the sentence. At the hearing, additional evidence was also provided that detailed how Mendez had been harboring aliens in his stash house for several months. In handing down the sentence, the court noted the dangerousness of his conduct, to the point where his vehicle almost careened into a ditch – just hanging over the edge the embankment.
The investigation revealed Mendez-Fajardo was harboring illegal aliens at his residence in Mission. Law enforcement observed him leave the stash house and attempted to pull him over. Instead of complying, Mendez tried to run over a BP agent, forcing the agent to jump out of the way to avoid being struck.
Mendez continued to flee from law enforcement at high rate of speed through a neighborhood before crashing into a ditch.
Authorities ultimately discovered six illegal aliens at his stash house.
Mendez-Fajardo will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
