A Katy man has been sentenced to 18 months in federal prison following an assault on a Border Patrol Agent. Kevin Dominguez, 26, was convicted of striking the agent with his vehicle in an attempt to escape an immigration checkpoint in Del Rio, Texas. The incident, which also involved a high-speed chase, escalated when a canine unit alerted agents to a person hidden in the trunk of Dominguez's sedan.
During the encounter on Aug. 1, 2023, on U.S. Highway 57, Dominguez attempted to quickly back up after the canine's alert, hitting the agent in the process. This initiated a high-speed chase, documented by a Border Patrol helicopter, which observed two individuals, including the undocumented noncitizen from Honduras hidden in the trunk, fleeing the vehicle. According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, Dominguez was arrested on Sept. 14 after being indicted on the previous day.
The case was investigated by the FBI with Assistant U.S. Attorney Matt Kass leading the prosecution. Dominguez entered a guilty plea on Jan. 24, 2024, before his sentencing in 2025. U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas announced the sentence and emphasized the serious nature of the charges.
This case underscores the ongoing challenges posed by human smuggling and the dangers faced by law enforcement at the border. While Dominguez's motive remains unclear, the consequences of his actions to swiftly evade capture left a federal agent injured and an undocumented individual exposed to grave risk. The 18-month sentence is a reminder of the legal repercussions awaiting those who choose to violently hinder the efforts of law enforcement officials. More details on the hearing and the fallout of this case can be found in the detailed announcement by the U.S. Attorney's Office.
