A former U.S. Army soldier has been sentenced to nearly three years in federal prison after pleading guilty to his role in organizing a human smuggling operation that involved fellow servicemen and resulted in a high-speed chase with law enforcement in West Texas.

Enrique Jauregui, 26, was sentenced to 33 months in prison and three years of supervised release by U.S. District Judge David Counts in a Pecos, Texas, courtroom. In addition to prison time, Jauregui was ordered to pay a $10,000 fine. His co-conspirators, Angel Palma, 21, and Emilio Mendoza-Lopez, 22, were sentenced in May to 24 months each in federal prison, along with three years of supervised release.

ALPINE, Texas — Three former Fort Hood soldiers were sentenced to federal prison for aiding and abetting immigrants living in Texas illegally for financial gain.

Court documents say that 26-year-old Enrique Jauregui organized a smuggling event in 2024, recruiting 21-year-old…

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According to court documents, Jauregui coordinated the smuggling event in late 2024 while stationed at Fort Hood, then known as Fort Cavazos. He recruited Palma and Mendoza-Lopez—also active-duty soldiers at the time—to assist in transporting illegal aliens from Presidio, Texas. Jauregui provided instructions, updates, and support during the operation and planned to compensate the two after completing the drop-off.

On November 27, 2024, Palma and Mendoza-Lopez traveled from the base to Presidio and picked up three illegal aliens. The return trip turned into a pursuit when U.S. Border Patrol agents attempted to intercept their vehicle. During the chase, the smugglers rammed a marked Border Patrol vehicle, injuring an agent inside. Palma and Mendoza-Lopez then fled the scene on foot along with the three illegal aliens. All were eventually apprehended, except Palma, who was later arrested at a hotel in Odessa.

“This sentencing demonstrates the strong partnership between Army CID, Homeland Security Investigations, and the U.S. Border Patrol,” said Special Agent in Charge Lane Allen of the Department of the Army Criminal Investigation Division’s Central Texas Field Office. “Maintaining the readiness and integrity of our fighting force remains our top priority.”

The investigation was led by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in collaboration with the U.S. Border Patrol and the Army Criminal Investigation Division. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kevin Cayton prosecuted the case.

“The sentencing of these individuals underscores the serious consequences of engaging in human smuggling,” said ICE HSI El Paso Special Agent in Charge Jason T. Stevens. “Recruiting fellow soldiers to participate in illegal activities, culminating in a reckless high-speed chase with law enforcement, is a blatant betrayal of duty and public trust. HSI alongside our law enforcement partners, remain committed to dismantling smuggling networks and ensuring those responsible face justice.”

U.S. Attorney Justin Simmons for the Western District of Texas added, “These three individuals turned their backs on their values in a way that put our nation at risk, and put at risk the lives of others, including the lives of law enforcement officers. Everyone in this district, regardless of whether you wear the uniform or not, should take note: if you seek to enrich yourself by moving illegal aliens into or through this country, you will face the consequences of federal prosecution and will likely find yourself in federal prison.”