Two people were charged in federal court in connection with a human smuggling event that ended with a high-speed chase, the U.S. Attorney’s office announced Thursday.
Sergio Cervantes-Lopez, 30, of San Diego, and Remigio Sosa-Laez,19, described as a Mexican national, were accused in a Tuesday afternoon pursuit that began near Donovan State Prison and the George Bailey Detention Center.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s office, Border Patrol Agents observed Cervantes-Lopez on Sept. 14 after 4 p.m. as he drove a large sport utility vehicle to an area near Donovan State Prison and the George Bailey Detention Center. Agents reported that a large group of eight to ten individuals entered Cervantez-Lopez’s vehicle before driving away.
When other agents responded to the area and attempted to conduct a traffic stop, Cervantes-Lopez fled at speeds as high as ninety miles per hour. The complaint details how Cervantes-Lopez rammed a U.S. Border Patrol vehicle and backed into a civilian’s pick-up truck before running through a red light and colliding with another civilian’s sport utility vehicle.
According to the U.S. Attorney's office, Cervantes-Lopez’s vehicle tipped over in the collision and attempted to flee on foot. Federal prosecutors allege that Remigio Sosa-Laez guided the group of eight people across the border on foot.
In a news release announcing the arrests“You gamble with your life when you trust a smuggler,” said U.S. Attorney Randy Grossman. “Smugglers don’t care about the health and safety of their cargo.”
