Louisiana Man Dodges Border Patrol in Texas Marijuana Chase

EL PASO, Texas – In a high-octane chase across the Texas desert, Louisiana man Benjamin Thomas Mackey was nabbed after allegedly evading Border Patrol agents while transporting 10 pounds of marijuana.

According to court documents, Mackey triggered a K-9 alert at the Sierra Blanca Border Patrol checkpoint. Despite being ordered to turn off his vehicle, he reportedly reversed course and fled at breakneck speed, leaving one agent to duck for cover as the car hurtled toward them.

The chase ensued on I-10 East, with agents pursuing Mackey’s speeding vehicle at speeds that exceeded 120 mph. The pursuit was fraught with danger as Mackey allegedly drove erratically, leading agents to attempt a stop in Sierra Blanca. His reckless driving ultimately culminated in a crash into a concrete barrier, near a gas station.

Despite the crash, Mackey reportedly attempted to flee on foot, but agents swiftly reeled him in, placing him under arrest. The search of his vehicle revealed 10 pounds of marijuana. One agent sustained leg injuries during the pursuit and was hospitalized.

Mackey now faces one count of high-speed flight from an immigration checkpoint. Should he be convicted, he could face up to five years in prison. Assistant U.S. Attorney Stanley Serwatka is prosecuting the case, with U.S. Attorney Justin R. Simmons for the Western District of Texas making the announcement.

The U.S. Border Patrol is actively investigating this case, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.