Cesar Alberto Rodriguez, Alien Smuggling Causing Serious Bodily Injury, Texas 2023

A young Laredo man has been charged with alien smuggling causing serious bodily injury following a rollover crash that left five undocumented individuals injured.

According to federal authorities, Cesar Alberto Rodriguez, an 18-year-old resident of Laredo, was indicted on two counts of alien smuggling causing serious bodily injury.

The incident occurred on September 13, 2023, when Rodriguez drove a pickup truck carrying two residential air-conditioning units into the Hebbronville Border Patrol checkpoint. A K-9 allegedly alerted law enforcement to the presence of humans at the bed of the truck, leading to an investigation that uncovered five undocumented individuals concealed inside the units.

When law enforcement asked Rodriguez for his identification, he allegedly put his truck into drive and sped away from the checkpoint. The vehicle was later found in Bruni, rolled over with debris scattered around it. The five injured undocumented individuals were transported to a hospital for treatment, with one requiring airlift to another location for further treatment.

U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery announced the indictment, stating that Rodriguez faces up to 20 years in federal prison and a possible $250,000 maximum fine if convicted.

Rodriguez is expected to appear for his arraignment before a U.S. Magistrate Judge in the near future. The investigation was conducted by Homeland Security Investigations with the assistance of the Border Patrol.

An indictment is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence. The defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdtx/pr/young-laredo-man-charged-smuggling-five-resulting-rollover-crash