Cristian Rodriguez, Assaulting Federal Agent and Smuggling Undocumented Aliens, Texas 2022

BROWNSVILLE, Texas - A chilling act of violence and disregard for the law has led to a severe sentence for a Brownsville resident. On September 16, 2022, law enforcement observed three individuals running away from the border wall and getting in a gray vehicle at an intersection in Brownsville. Authorities activated emergency equipment, but the driver, Cristian Rodriguez, impacted the marked unit in a head-on collision.

Authorities extracted the occupants and evaluated them for injuries. In total, there were five occupants in the gray vehicle, three of whom were in the rear - Mexican nationals without proper documentation to be in or remain in the United States. They had just made an illegal entry into the United States by crossing the Rio Grande River.

The front passenger was Rolando Rodriguez, the brother of Cristian Rodriguez. He had also pleaded guilty and was previously sentenced to 46 months in federal prison followed by two years of supervised release for transporting and attempting to transport undocumented aliens.

Cristian Rodriguez pleaded guilty on May 23 to transporting and attempting to transport undocumented aliens and assaulting a federal officer. U.S. District Judge Fernando Rodriguez Jr. has now ordered Rodriguez to serve 48 months in federal prison to be immediately followed by two years of supervised release.

The investigation was conducted by the Border Patrol and the FBI, with Assistant U.S. Attorneys David Coronado and Paul Marian prosecuting the case.

Defendant's Real Full Name: Cristian Rodriguez

Exact Criminal Charges: Transporting and attempting to transport undocumented aliens and assaulting a federal officer

City and State: Brownsville, Texas

Exact Date with Month/Day/Year: September 16, 2022 (crime date), May 23 (plea date)

Sentence or Outcome: 48 months in federal prison followed by two years of supervised release

Defendant's Background: A 22-year-old man from Brownsville

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdtx/pr/sentence-imposed-using-vehicle-assault-federal-agent-and-smuggle-individuals