Man faces 20 years in prison after Weslaco human smuggling chase

McALLEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A man is scheduled to make his first appearance in federal court following his arrest for an alleged smuggling attempt through the Rio Grande Valley, the U.S. Attorney's Office announced.

Cesar Rafael Leon, 34, was scheduled to appear before U.S. Magistrate Judge Scott Hacker on Tuesday, according to a news release from the U.S. Attorney's Office.

In a criminal complaint, obtained by ValleyCentral, Leon picked up five migrants, who had crossed the Rio Grande by raft in Mercedes.

Law enforcement claims Leon failed to yield when they attempted to conduct a traffic stop, leading them on a car chase.

(Source: U.S. Attorney's Office)

(Source: U.S. Attorney's Office)

During the chase, authorities deployed a vehicle immobilization device; however, they claim Leon continued to drive away, hit a Texas Department of Public Safety unit, and drive on the wrong side of the highway.

According to the complaint, the chase lasted approximately 15 minutes and ended in a shopping plaza in Weslaco. Law enforcement agencies arrested Leon after a short foot chase and took five migrants into custody, including a woman who was 36 weeks pregnant.

According to the complaint, investigators spoke to Leon, where he admitted that he had agreed to pick up the people present in the country illegally because he was trying to pay off a debt that he owed for drugs with a person in Mexico.

If convicted, Leon faces up to 20 years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine.