Three Soldiers Charged in Smuggling Conspiracy

Three soldiers from Fort Cavazos have been arrested and charged with involvement in a human smuggling conspiracy after a U.S. Border Patrol incident in Presidio, Texas on November 27. Emilio Mendoza Lopez, Angel Palma, and Enrique Jauregui are accused of coordinating to smuggle undocumented migrants, including a Mexican national and two Guatemalan nationals. The vehicle driven by Palma struck a Border Patrol vehicle, injuring an agent, before the three suspects were apprehended. Evidence from a search warrant on Palma's phone revealed messages indicating the soldiers' collaboration in the smuggling operation. Mendoza Lopez faces charges of bringing in and harboring aliens, while Palma and Jauregui face additional charges including assaulting a federal agent. Initial court appearances have been scheduled for the accused soldiers in federal court.