Texas National Guard Member Arrested for Alleged Smuggling Attempt

A member of the Texas National Guard has landed himself in hot water after he was arrested for allegedly attempting to smuggle an illegal immigrant over the U.S.-Mexico border.

Savion Johnson, 26, was arrested Sunday, March 31, after leading the officers from Texas DPS on a chase after turning around when he approached a pop-up checkpoint, according to Kinney County Sheriff Brad Coe.

“We don’t know what’s going on in their lives to make them do this,” said Coe. “But they’re going to get caught.”

The Border Patrol checkpoint was set off Highway 674 and had only been operational for a few days.

As the vehicle turned around, the behavior alerted DPS officers, who gave chase and were assisted by the Kinney County Sheriff.

The undocumented immigrant allegedly riding in Johnsons’ vehicle fled the scene but was later apprehended by officers and processed by Border Patrol.

Johnson was allegedly offered $5,000 to $6,000, according to NewsNation.

Gov. Greg Abbott, in a statement, issued a stark claim if the allegations are proven true.

“If the allegations are true, the accused is a traitor and criminal,” Abbott said in a statement to NewsNation Monday.

“We have zero tolerance for Texans who violate laws that directly contradict the mission we are seeking to achieve.”

Johnson is charged with evading arrest, smuggling of persons, and unlawful carry of a weapon.

He was deployed to Eagle Pass as part of Gov. Greg Abbott’s Operation Lone Star.

The post Texas National Guard Member Arrested for Alleged Smuggling Attempt appeared first on The DeSoto Tribune.