Young Houstonians admit to carjacking in failed smuggling attempt

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas - A second man has now pleaded guilty to carjacking a McAllen resident, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.

Jesus Rodriguez, 19, entered his plea Sept. 23, admitting he had recruited Christian Hardy, 18, to accompany him from Houston to the Rio Grande Valley to smuggle two people because he didn't have a driver's license. He also claimed the vehicle they were driving had mechanical problems, and they needed to steal a car. Hardy has now also admitted to his role in the crime.

While in McAllen May 19, Rodriguez and Hardy approached a male victim outside his car at a Stripes gas station near a mechanic shop. Rodriguez asked to use the victim's phone, while Hardy got into the driver's seat.

The victim attempted to stop the theft and jumped into the passenger side, pushed Hardy out of the vehicle and managed to move into the driver seat. However, Rodriguez then got into the passenger seat, pointed a firearm at the victim and said the vehicle was not worth his life.

The victim got out of the car, at which time both men fled. Rodriguez still had the victim's phone, which he later tossed out of the vehicle so the victim would not be able to call authorities. Hardy and Rodriguez then picked up two non-U.S. citizens from a stash house in McAllen and proceeded to the Falfurrias Border Patrol Checkpoint.

After witnessing nervous behavior, law enforcement referred them to secondary inspection where they found the two undocumented people hiding in the trunk of the vehicle.

Upon their arresting Hardy and Rodriguez, authorities discovered a firearm in Rodriguez's waistband. The investigation also led to the discovery that the car Hardy was driving had been stolen out of Hidalgo County.

U.S. District Judge Nelva Gonzalez Ramos will impose sentencing Jan. 28, 2025. At that time, the pair face up to 15 years in federal prison.

Hardy was permitted to remain on bond pending that hearing, while Rodriguez is in custody.

Homeland Security investigations conducted the investigation with assistance from the Edinburg Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Joel Dunn is prosecuting the case.