Texas Border: Soldier Arrested for Smuggling - More Troops Deployed

State, County, and Federal officers chased a suspected migrant smuggling vehicle in Kinney County Sunday, March 31, 2024.Photo byKinney County Sheriff's Office (via NewsNation)

A Texas National Guard Soldier has been arrested for human smuggling - and more states are sending troops and troopers to participate in "Operation Lone Star."

The arrest was first reported by NewsNation's Ali Bradley - who posted bodycam video of the arrest was supplied by the Kinney County Sheriff's Office:

According to NewsNation the soldier - who was assigned to "Operation Lone Star" was arrested Sunday after he made a "U-turn" after encountering a "pop-up" Border Patrol checkpoint. A chase ensued and a migrant bailed from the SUV he was driving but was later caught. Bradley initially reported the soldier was driving a government vehicle - but that is not reflected in a later NewsNation website account of the incident.

(FoxNews Reporter Griff Jenkins has since confirmed NewsNation's Bradley's report including that the soldier was in a "government vehicle")

The Texas Department of Public Safety confirmed the chase and arrest.

The New York Times quotes Kinney County Sheriff Brad Coe: “He was National Guard. I believe he was a public information officer," Coe said.

The suspect's name matches that of a soldier whose video and photographs of the Texas Nationa Guard have been distributed by the Department of Defense and identified by them as a member of the 100th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment which is a unit of the Texas Military Forces.

Two other soldiers, including one from the Louisiana National Guard, were arrested last June and charged with trying to smuggle migrants through Kinney County.

A spokesperson for Texas Governor Greg Abbott told NewsNation and Newsweek that "If the allegations are true, the accused is a traitor and criminal:"

Photo byOffice of Texas Governor Greg Abbott (via NewsNation)

Meanwhile, more states are sending - or considering sending - more troops & troopers to support "Operation Lone Star:"

Nebraska:

Governor Jim Pillen this week saw 35 Nebraska National Guard members off as they left on a 90-day deployment to Eagle Pass. They'll be joined in mid-April by 10 Nebraska State Troopers who will work alongside the Texas Department of Public Safety along the border with Mexico:

Montana:

Governor Greg Gianforte signs Disaster Declaration authorizing the deployment of Montana National Guard to the Texas Border.Photo byOffice of Montana Governor Greg Gianforte

Governor Greg Gianforte of Montana has signed a "Disaster Declaration" authorizing a deployment by the Montana National Guard to Texas:

"I signed a disaster declaration to mobilize Montana resources to help secure our southern border. President Biden has left our southern border completely exposed and overrun by drug cartels, who are bringing deadly crime and drugs into our country. While he refuses to do his job, Republican governors are stepping up to do it for him.” - Montana Governor Greg Gianforte

Pennsylvania:

The Republican-controlled Pennsylvania State Senate passed a resolution calling for Pennsylvania National Guard personnel to be sent to the Texas border — a call Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro quickly dismissed.

"To protect our nation and state from further deterioration, Gov. Shapiro must support Texas to secure our nation’s border by deploying the Pennsylvania National Guard to Texas in support of Operation Lone Star.” -Pennsylvania Senate President Pro-Tem Kim Ward

The resolution has been endorsed by Texas Governor Greg Abbott:

Idaho:

Idaho Governor Brad Little with Idaho State Troopers preparing to deploy to Texas as part of "Operation Lone Star."Photo byOffice of Idaho Governor Brad Little

Two teams of Idaho State Police (ISP) troopers have left for Texas on a three-week deployment to help secure the U.S.-Mexico border.

“The cartel and other bad actors are taking advantage of our open border to manipulate and abuse the most vulnerable, including children. To help curb human trafficking, (we are) sending two more teams of Idaho State Police troopers to train and act as a force multiplier at our lawless southern border, as we did with fentanyl twice before.” -Idaho Governor Brad Little

Meanwhile, back at the Texas Border U.S. Customs & Border Protection (CBP) Officers are reporting the seizure of a large amount of cash being smuggled from Texas into Mexico.

Stacks containing $387,000 in unreported currency were seized by CBP officers at the Hidalgo International Bridge on April 1, 2024.Photo byU.S. Customs & Border Protection

CBP officers discovered $387,000 in unreported currency hidden within a southbound vehicle being driven by a Mexican citizen across the Hidalgo International Bridge. The money was seized and the driver was placed under arrest.

Do you believe the Texas Border with Mexico is secure?

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For more stories like this "Follow Me" on the Newsbreak App and "Like" this article to stay updated on border issues regularly covered by Jack Beavers like these:

• Cartel Drones Dominate Texas Border
• Texas Border: "Cartels set the rules" Border Patrol Chief Says
• "Iron River" from Texas Arms Cartels @ Mexico
• Cartel Crackdown: Big Texas Drug Busts Announced

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