A Texas National Guard soldier, deployed as part of Governor Greg Abbott’s Operation Lone Star in Eagle Pass, was arrested on Sunday for allegedly attempting to smuggle a migrant across the U.S.-Mexico border.
Savion Johnson, 26, faces charges including evading arrest, smuggling of persons, and unlawful carry of a weapon, as confirmed by the Texas Department of Public Safety.
Kinney County Sheriff Brad Coe (Credits: Alpha News)
The incident came to light when Kinney County Sheriff Brad Coe approached a newly operational pop-up tactical Border Patrol checkpoint on Highway 674. The soldier’s suspicious behavior prompted agents to try to stop his SUV. Texas DPS officers used spike strips to halt the vehicle, with Kinney County Sheriff’s deputies assisting in the arrest.
Upon searching Johnson, authorities found an undocumented individual he was allegedly trying to transport. The migrant attempted to flee but was eventually apprehended by Border Patrol.
Sources reveal Johnson was promised $5,000 to $6,000 for his actions. Despite lacking access to certain technologies like license plate readers, his armed status resulted in an elevated smuggling charge.
Texas National Guards (Credits: The Hill)
Kinney County has witnessed similar incidents previously, with two other women apprehended for human smuggling along the same road.
Governor Abbott condemned the alleged actions, stating, “If the allegations are true, the accused is a traitor and criminal.” He emphasized a zero-tolerance policy for Texans violating laws that oppose the mission of border security.
