National Guardsman Arrested in High-Speed Chase, Charged with Human Smuggling

Clear Facts

• Savion Johnson, a Texas National Guardsman, was arrested on allegations of smuggling an illegal immigrant into the U.S, and leading law enforcement on a high-speed chase.
• Charges against Johnson include evading arrest, human smuggling, and unlawful carry of a weapon. If proven guilty, Johnson could face a minimum of 10 years in prison.
• The administration of Governor Greg Abbott has reiterated their zero tolerance stance towards such illegal actions, with Kinney County Sheriff Brad Coe noting this wasn’t the first instance of a National Guard member’s involvement in illegal activities.

Savion Johnson, a member of the Texas National Guard, was apprehended by Texas authorities after he allegedly tried to smuggle an illegal immigrant across the border, and subsequently evaded law enforcement officers in a high-speed chase.

Johnson was taken into custody by the combined efforts of the Texas Department of Public Safety and the Kinney County Sheriff’s Department. Agencies reported that the chase exceeded speeds of 100 mph.

The press secretary for Texas Republican Governor Greg Abbott, Andrew Mahaleris, expressed the administration’s stern stance on such activities, asserting, “We have zero tolerance for Texans who violate laws that directly contradict the mission we are seeking to achieve.”

Mahaleris further elaborated, “The accused’s illegal smuggling may subject him to a mandatory minimum prison sentence of at least 10 years. He deserves more.”

Johnson’s arrest brings to light his involvement in Governor Abbott’s Operation Lone Star – an initiative that targets illegal immigration into Texas via its border with Mexico.

Kinney County Sheriff Brad Coe, who identified Johnson as a participant in this operation, stated, “It’s not a good thing. But he’s not the first one we’ve picked up that’s associated with the National Guard.” He added that individuals from various walks of life have been apprehended for similar actions, owing to the allure of money.

Reports suggest that Johnson was promised between $5,000 and $6,000 to smuggle the illegal immigrant, who was also arrested. Johnson allegedly fled from a Border Patrol checkpoint in a government vehicle, leading to a 15-mile chase that ended with the vehicle stopped after officers used spike strips to puncture its tires.

This incident is not an isolated case. Johnson joins the list of law enforcement officers detained for allegations of smuggling illegal aliens into the U.S. Earlier in June, two other soldiers, including a national guardsman, were apprehended in the same area for similar offenses.

As part of Governor Abbott’s efforts to curb illegal immigration into the U.S, he has promoted a law that treats unlawful entry as a state crime that local law enforcement can enforce. This law, which was set to take effect earlier this year, is currently on hold due to a panel of Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals judges reviewing a legal challenge to its constitutionality. The Biden administration has contested the Texas law, claiming that immigration enforcement is the sole domain of the federal government.

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