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In recent weeks, the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) has apprehended several migrants linked to serious crimes, including sexual assault of a child.
In Laredo, Texas, a Honduran man was arrested during a traffic stop related to Operation Lone Star; he was wanted for sexual assault in Harris County.
This incident occurred on the morning of February 12, when a DPS trooper stopped a 2011 International tractor trailer for a traffic violation. Upon coming to a halt, the driver and several passengers fled into nearby brush, prompting a swift response from law enforcement.
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Junior Adalid Montoya-Alvarez, the 49-year-old truck driver, was subsequently charged with human smuggling. It was soon revealed that he was also wanted in Harris County for sexual assault.
Thanks to collaborative efforts with additional agencies, seven undocumented immigrants traveling with Montoya-Alvarez were apprehended. These individuals were initially from Guatemala and Mexico and were later referred to Border Patrol.
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Additionally, on February 11, authorities detained Carols Daniel Espinoza-Arguello, a 26-year-old Venezuelan criminal illegal immigrant, in Socorro after stopping him on suspicion of human smuggling. Following further investigation, it was discovered he was wanted in connection with sexual assault of a child.
Espinoza-Arguello’s arrest led to the discovery of a nearby stash house where two other undocumented Venezuelan immigrants were also taken into custody by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO).
A similar enforcement action occurred on February 6, when DPS troopers stopped a 1999 Dodge pickup for a traffic violation in Sullivan City. Following a warrant check, the passenger, Armando Alonso-Cortez, a 40-year-old criminal illegal immigrant from Mexico, was found to be wanted by the Alton Police Department for sexual assault of a child. He was arrested on site and handed over to local police.
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Operation Lone Star, initiated by Texas Governor Greg Abbott in 2021, has led to the arrest of over half a million illegal immigrants and thwarted more than 140,000 illegal entry attempts into the U.S. The operation has also resulted in over 50,000 criminal arrests, the seizure of substantial quantities of fentanyl, and the construction of more than 240 miles of border barriers alongside the establishment of a National Guard base at the Texas-Mexico border.
In a recent communication to U.S. Congressional members, Abbott emphasized that Texas has taken significant steps where the federal government has not, ensuring safety for all Americans amid what he termed the dangerous policies of the Biden administration.
Despite the operational successes, Abbott has reported a staggering financial burden of over $11.1 billion incurred under the operation, a cost he argues should be borne by the federal government. He noted that prior to the current administration, Texas spent about $800 million every two years to supplement federal border efforts.
“The strain imposed on our state is a consequence of the federal government’s failure to uphold its responsibilities,” Abbott stated. “The benefits derived from Operation Lone Star extend beyond Texas, safeguarding the entire nation.”
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Historically, House Republicans have sought reimbursement for the substantial outlays associated with border security initiatives. However, such legislative measures have yet to succeed.
Fox News Digital’s Elizabeth Pritchett contributed to this report.
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