Federal authorities announced that a Texas man has been sentenced to 18 months in federal prison following an incident involving a U.S. Border Patrol checkpoint. According to official court records, the case began on August 1, 2023, when 26-year-old Kevin Dominguez arrived at a checkpoint on U.S. Highway 57 near the Texas–Mexico border. Agents conducting routine inspections noticed unusual movement inside the trunk of his vehicle, prompting further investigation.
A trained Border Patrol canine alerted officials to a potential hidden passenger. When agents instructed Dominguez to stop for a secondary inspection, they opened the trunk and discovered an undocumented individual concealed inside. Instead of complying with commands, Dominguez suddenly reversed his sedan in an attempt to escape the checkpoint. During the maneuver, he struck a Border Patrol agent, causing the situation to escalate rapidly.
Dominguez fled the scene but was later located and taken into custody. Prosecutors stated that his actions endangered both law enforcement personnel and the passenger hidden in the trunk. The injured agent received medical attention, and investigators gathered video evidence and witness statements that were later presented in court. Dominguez eventually entered a guilty plea to charges related to assaulting a federal officer and transporting an individual unlawfully.
At sentencing, federal officials emphasized the seriousness of using a vehicle to evade law enforcement and harm a federal agent. They noted that the prison term reflects both the danger posed during the incident and the need to deter similar attempts in the future. Authorities confirmed that following his release, Dominguez will be placed under supervised monitoring as part of the court’s order.
