#BREAKING A Texas National Guard soldier deployed from McAllen to Eagle pass under Operation Lonestar was busted for attempting to smuggle an illegal immigrant in a government vehicle on Sunday.
Kinney County Sheriff Brad Coe says the soldier turned around when he approached a pop-up tactical Border Patrol checkpoint off 674 in Kinney County that had only been operational for a few days—The behavior alerting agents who attempted to stop the suv—The sheriff says Texas DPS got involved with the pursuit and used spike strips which ultimately stopped the vehicle.
KCSO assisted in the stop—TX DPS is currently investigating but sources tell me the soldier did not have access to the license plate readers or other technology that would have aided him in his efforts. He was armed so that escalated the smuggling charge. Sources say he was promised $5-6k to transport that one individual.
I have reached out to DPS and Governor Abbott’s office for comment but have not heard back.
🎥 #EXCLUSIVE via KCSO
Kinney County Sheriff Brad Coe says the soldier turned around when he approached a pop-up tactical Border Patrol checkpoint off 674 in Kinney County that had only been operational for a few days—The behavior alerting agents who attempted to stop the suv—The sheriff says Texas DPS got involved with the pursuit and used spike strips which ultimately stopped the vehicle.
KCSO assisted in the stop—TX DPS is currently investigating but sources tell me the soldier did not have access to the license plate readers or other technology that would have aided him in his efforts. He was armed so that escalated the smuggling charge. Sources say he was promised $5-6k to transport that one individual.
I have reached out to DPS and Governor Abbott’s office for comment but have not heard back.
🎥 #EXCLUSIVE via KCSO
TX: Kinney County Sheriff’s Deputy’s dashcam video showing the moments he arrives and pulls the Texas State Guard soldier from the government vehicle and puts him under arrest for human smuggling.
Sources say he is expected to be released from jail today.
🎥 #EXCLUSIVE via KCSO
Sources say he is expected to be released from jail today.
🎥 #EXCLUSIVE via KCSO
NEW: Just received a statement from @GovAbbott office saying “If the allegations are true, the accused is a traitor and criminal…” adding that he deserves more than the 10 year minimum sentence that would come alongside SB4: 
@GovAbbott NEW: @TxDPS confirms 26-year-old Texas State Guard Solider Savion Johnson was arrested Sunday and is facing charges including evading arrest, smuggling of persons and unlawful carry of a weapon.
@GovAbbott @TxDPS Clarifying: Sources confirm Johnson is a state guard member.
Texas DPS did not make this determination in its statement.
Texas DPS did not make this determination in its statement.
@GovAbbott @TxDPS Our @NewsNation story: newsnationnow.com/us-news/immigr…
NEW: Booking photo of Texas soldier Savion Johnson—Arrested for human smuggling.
Per @BenacciMatt with Kinney County Sheriff’s Office: “The Val Verde Processing Center is the regional facility where individuals arrested in connection with Operation Lone Star are briefly held and magistrated before being transferred to more permanent lock ups in Dilley, TX and the Rio Grande Valley.
Sheriff Brad Coe has said that it is not uncommon for individuals with surprising backgrounds to get caught up in smuggling and cartel corruption. Over the last three years, the County has seen priests, teachers, other servicemen and women, and at least one attorney get caught trafficking. It's also very common for Border Patrol and US Customs agents to be caught by their confederates while trafficking. It's something that's always come with the territory, with folks being seduced by the prospect of easy money.”
Per @BenacciMatt with Kinney County Sheriff’s Office: “The Val Verde Processing Center is the regional facility where individuals arrested in connection with Operation Lone Star are briefly held and magistrated before being transferred to more permanent lock ups in Dilley, TX and the Rio Grande Valley.
Sheriff Brad Coe has said that it is not uncommon for individuals with surprising backgrounds to get caught up in smuggling and cartel corruption. Over the last three years, the County has seen priests, teachers, other servicemen and women, and at least one attorney get caught trafficking. It's also very common for Border Patrol and US Customs agents to be caught by their confederates while trafficking. It's something that's always come with the territory, with folks being seduced by the prospect of easy money.”
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