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Soldiers Emilio Mendoza Lopez, Angel Palma, 20, and Enrique
Jauregui, 25, were arrested after a vehicle allegedly driven by
Palma and carrying Mendoza Lopez, a Mexican national and two
Guatemalan nationals was stopped Nov. 27 by law enforcement in
Presidio along the border with Mexico, about 500 miles (805
kilometers) southwest of Dallas.
Mike Lahrman, a spokesman for Esparza, said he did not know the
soldier's ranks or whether action had been taken against them by
the military. A spokesman for Fort Cavazos did not immediately
respond to a request for comment.
“Mendoza Lopez and Palma allegedly traveled from Fort Cavazos to
Presidio for the purpose of picking up and transporting
undocumented noncitizens,” Esparza said in a statement.
“Jauregui is alleged to be the recruiter and facilitator of the
human smuggling conspiracy,” according to Esparza. “Data
extracted from Palma’s phone through a search warrant revealed
messages between the three soldiers indicating collaboration in
the smuggling operation.”
Mendoza Lopez was arrested at the scene of the Nov. 27 traffic
stop while Palma, who prosecutors said fled the scene of the
traffic stop, and Jauregui were arrested Tuesday at Fort
Cavazos, about 125 miles (201 kilometers) south of Dallas,
Lahrman said.
Mendoza Lopez's attorney, Shane Chriesman, said he is awaiting
more information, known as discovery, from prosecutors on the
charge.
“Once I get discovery and have a chance to assess the case we'll
develop a plan of attack” and will try to get a bond set for
Mendoza Lopez, who is currently jailed without bail, Chriesman
said.
No attorneys are listed in jail records who could speak for for
Palma and Jauregui, who are awaiting their first court
appearance on Friday, according to Esparza.
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