Maverick County Sheriff’s Department Nabs 18 Year Old Male for Human Smuggling
By Jose G. Landa, Copyright 2026 Eagle Pass Business Journal, Inc.
— Maverick County Sheriff Tom Schmerber reported the arrest of an 18-year-old man following a vehicle pursuit that began during Operation Stonegarden activities in the area of North U.S. Highway 277 and Veterans Boulevard in Eagle Pass, Texas.
According to the Maverick County Sheriff’s Office, a deputy observed a gray Kia SUV traveling at night without its headlights or taillights activated.
The deputy attempted to conduct a traffic stop, but the driver allegedly failed to yield and continued traveling southbound on Highway 277.
Authorities reported that the vehicle later made a U-turn and began traveling northbound before entering the area near the Country Hill Hotel.
During the incident, deputies reportedly observed two male individuals exiting the SUV while the vehicle was still in motion.
The SUV then continued southbound along Veterans Boulevard before stopping at a business near the intersection of Veterans Boulevard and Bibb Street, where a female passenger was dropped off, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies continued their investigation and eventually stopped the vehicle near the 2400 block of North Veterans Boulevard.
The driver was identified by authorities as 18-year-old Juan Angel Bonilla.
Bonilla was taken into custody and charged with human smuggling. He was subsequently transported to the Tom Bowles Detention Center for processing.
The incident occurred as deputies were participating in Operation Stonegarden, a federally funded law enforcement initiative designed to enhance cooperation among local, state and federal agencies in communities along the United States border.
Operation Stonegarden funding is commonly used to support additional law enforcement patrols and enforcement activities aimed at addressing border-related criminal activity, including human smuggling.
The Maverick County Sheriff’s Office stated that deputies will continue working proactively with local, state and federal law enforcement partners to improve public safety and disrupt suspected human smuggling activity throughout Maverick County.
No additional information regarding the two males who reportedly exited the moving vehicle or the female passenger who was dropped off was immediately provided.
Bonilla is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
