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Smuggler who rammed CHP cruiser gets nearly 20 years in jail

1:17 p.m. December 15, 2006

SAN DIEGO – A human and drug smuggler from Mexico who rammed a CHP cruiser head-on as he fled the wrong way on Interstate 8 with five undocumented immigrants was sentenced Friday to more than 19 years in federal prison.

Jovanni Mendoza, 26, was convicted four months ago on 10 counts, including transportation of aliens, bringing in aliens for profit and importation of 692 pounds of marijuana with intent to distribute.

In handing down the 235-month sentence, U.S. District Judge Dana Sabraw agreed with prosecutors that Mendoza posed a danger to law enforcement, the passengers in his vehicle and the motoring public.

Sabraw ordered Mendoza to pay restitution to the CHP of $9,874 for damage to the vehicle, said Assistant U.S. Attorney John R. Kraemer.

Mendoza attempted to flee on Aug. 17, 2005, when a CHP officer tried to pull over his white Chevrolet Suburban for an expired registration.

Mendoza initially pulled over, then fled, driving the wrong way on eastbound Interstate 8, according to court documents.

During the chase, the Suburban rammed a CHP cruiser blocking its path, and Mendoza fled the scene.

The undocumented immigrants were taken into custody and marijuana –with a wholesale value of $200,000 – was found in 11 suitcases during a search of the vehicle, the court documents said.

Mendoza was arrested by U.S. Border Patrol agents Aug. 24, 2005, after being identified as the driver of another Chevrolet Suburban at a temporary checkpoint located on eastbound Interstate 8 near Jacumba.

Mendoza had at least 10 run-ins with the CHP and the Border Patrol in the years leading up to his arrest, the prosecutor said.

Mendoza told authorities that he had been smuggling people since he was 16, Kraemer said outside court.

In May 2001, Mendoza was arrested as he drove a vehicle containing 11 undocumented immigrants, Kraemer said.

Mendoza said he was a Mexican national and was returned to Mexico, the prosecutor said.

In 2002, Mendoza was apprehended driving a van with 31 illegal aliens inside, the prosecutor said.

Six weeks before the collision with the CHP vehicle, Mendoza was spotted by the Border Patrol driving the wrong way on the freeway after having just dropped off a group of undocumented people near Pine Valley, the prosecutor said.

In a case where charges were dropped, Mendoza was a passenger in a vehicle stopped by Nevada authorities that had a large quantity of marijuana inside, Kraemer said.

Mendoza drove SUVs with modified silicone tires that couldn't be deflated by spike strips and non-factory bumpers that allowed him to avoid apprehension, Kraemer said.