McALLEN, Texas (Border Report) — An individual found guilty of human smuggling has been sentenced to nearly four years in prison following a high-speed chase with law enforcement through a South Texas border town.

Julian Alberto Soto pleaded guilty and was sentenced on May 20 to human smuggling charges, U.S. Border Patrol said.

The agency says Soto led agents and Texas Department of of Public Safety troopers on a high-speed chase in Roma, Texas.

The chase concluded when Soto drove his vehicle off an embankment in an attempt to evade capture. Both Soto and the smuggled individuals were detained, according to Border Patrol.

At the time of the chase, Soto was out on bond for another human smuggling case in Brooks County.

He previously served 57 months of a federal sentence for cocaine possession.

Agency officials say he has been affiliated with several criminal organizations.

“I commend our agents for their exceptional work in bringing this long-term criminal operation to justice,” stated Rio Grande Valley Sector Border Patrol Chief Patrol Agent Gloria Chavez. “This case demonstrates our unwavering commitment to holding criminals accountable and protecting our communities from those who would exploit vulnerable individuals for profit.”

Sandra Sanchez can be reached at SSanchez@BorderReport.com.