Drug Smuggler Sentenced to More Than 10 Years for Hitting Border Patrol Unit

MCALLEN, TX—Alejandro Javier Martinez-Pedraza, 19, and Osvaldo Javier Silva-Hernandez, 19, both Mexican nationals who were illegally present in the United States, have been ordered to prison following convictions for possession with intent to distribute 662 kilograms of marijuana, United States Attorney Kenneth Magidson announced today.

On April 27, 2012, both pleaded guilty to transporting 662 kilograms of marijuana north from the Rio Grande River near Abram. Martinez admitted he helped cross the marijuana from Mexico and helped load it into a truck driven by Silva. As Silva drove the marijuana-laden vehicle, he tried to flee from law enforcement and crashed into one Border Patrol Unit, totaling the vehicle. Luckily, the agents in the unit suffered only minor injuries.

Today, U.S. District Judge Hayden Head sentenced Silva, the driver, to a 135-month sentence. He will also be required to serve a term of five years of supervised release following completion of the prison term. After testimony from the Border Patrol agents, Judge Head found Silva intentionally crashed into the Border Patrol Unit and enhanced Silva’s sentence because of the violent conduct.

Judge Head sentenced Martinez to an 84-month sentence. He will also be required to serve a term of five years of supervised release following completion of the prison term. Judge Head enhanced his sentence because Martinez crossed into the United States from Mexico with the intent to commit this drug trafficking offense.

Both have been in custody where they will remain pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.

This case was investigated by Border Patrol, FBI, and the Drug Enforcement Administration. Assistant United States Attorney Kristen Rees prosecuted the case.