DILLEY, TX – Derek Riojas is facing federal charges after a high-speed chase near Dilley culminated in his arrest Friday and the apprehension of multiple individuals allegedly smuggled into the country. The arrest is the latest in a string of crackdowns along the Texas border, fueled by the Justice Department’s aggressive “Operation Take Back America.”
According to court documents, a U.S. Border Patrol agent on patrol along IH-35 flagged Riojas’s vehicle for erratic driving. The agent reported observing suspicious activity, and as Riojas slowed to a stop, several individuals bailed from the vehicle, scattering into the dense brush alongside the highway. Backup USBP agents quickly converged on the scene, rounding up the fleeing subjects, all of whom were determined to be illegally present in the United States.
Riojas, whose age was not immediately released, made his initial appearance in federal court today, charged with one count of transporting illegal aliens. The feds aren’t playing around: a conviction could land him behind bars for up to 10 years. The final sentence will be determined by a federal district court judge, taking into account U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other relevant statutory factors.
U.S. Attorney Justin R. Simmons for the Western District of Texas announced the arrest, framing it as a key component of “Operation Take Back America.” This nationwide initiative, according to the DOJ, aims to “repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.” The operation combines resources from the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).
The U.S. Border Patrol is leading the investigation, digging deeper into the smuggling operation and any potential co-conspirators. Sources familiar with the investigation indicate that Riojas may have been operating as part of a larger network, though details remain scarce. The agency is remaining tight-lipped about ongoing investigative steps.
It’s crucial to remember that a criminal complaint is just that – an allegation. Derek Riojas, like all defendants in the American justice system, is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. Grimy Times will continue to follow this case as it unfolds, bringing you the unvarnished truth from the Texas border.
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Key Facts
- State: Texas
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Human Trafficking|Organized Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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