A 19-year-old resident of Houston has been sentenced for carjacking, a crime that later involved the use of the stolen vehicle in an alien smuggling scheme. Acting U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery announced the sentencing.
Jesus Jonathan Rodriguez pleaded guilty to the carjacking charge on September 23, 2024. U.S. District Judge Nelva Gonzales Ramos sentenced Rodriguez to 42 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release. During the hearing, it was revealed that Rodriguez stole the car to facilitate an alien smuggling attempt. Judge Ramos highlighted the seriousness of the offense when delivering the sentence.
The incident occurred on May 19, 2024, when Rodriguez and Christian Hardy conspired to steal a Ford Fiesta for their smuggling plan. They approached a driver outside a convenience store in Edinburg, where Rodriguez engaged with the driver while Hardy entered the vehicle. Rodriguez threatened the car owner with a gun before both men drove off in the Ford.
The next day, as they neared the Falfurrias Border Patrol checkpoint in the stolen vehicle, authorities identified it as stolen and directed them for secondary inspection. There, two illegal aliens were discovered hidden in the trunk of the car. Law enforcement also found a firearm on Rodriguez during his arrest.
Christian Hardy, aged 18 from Richmond, has also pleaded guilty and is awaiting sentencing.
Rodriguez will remain in custody until he is transferred to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility at a later date.
The investigation was conducted by Homeland Security Investigations with assistance from Border Patrol and Edinburg Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ashley Martin prosecuted this case.