Video evidence reveals a Texas National Guardsman's arrest for suspected migrant smuggling.

On Sunday, a Texas National Guardsman was arrested for allegedly smuggling an illegal immigrant across the southern border, as dashcam footage obtained by Planet Chronicle showed the moment he was arrested. Gov. Greg Abbott's office stated that the man is a "traitor and criminal" if the charges are true.

The Texas Department of Public Safety stated to Planet Chronicle that Savion Johnson was arrested in Brackettville, Texas, for evading arrest, smuggling of persons, and unlawful carry of a weapon, emphasizing that the investigation is ongoing.

A Texas National Guard soldier was arrested for smuggling a migrant in a government vehicle, as confirmed by both the Kinney County Sheriff Brad Coe and a source with the Texas National Guard. The arrest was first reported by NewsNation.

The Texas DPS law enforcement dragged Johnson out of the vehicle during his arrest, as seen in the dashcam footage obtained by Planet Chronicle from the Kinney County Sheriff's Office. The migrant had bailed from the car prior to the arrest.

‘Traitor and criminal’

If Johnson's alleged actions are proven true, Abbott's office will not hesitate to criticize him harshly.

If the accusations are valid, the accused is a traitor and offender, as stated by Abbott Press Secretary Andrew Mahaleris in a Planet Chronicle Digital statement.

"We have zero tolerance for Texans who violate laws that directly contradict our mission. The accused's illegal smuggling may subject him to a mandatory minimum prison sentence of at least 10 years, but he deserves more."

Surge of resources

On the same day that Texas faced off against the Department of Justice in oral arguments over its anti-illegal immigration law, Abbott increased resources and law enforcement on the southern border as part of Operation Lone Star, an effort to secure the border in what the state claims is a lack of leadership from the federal government.

The law, signed in December to allow local police to arrest illegal immigrants, has been blocked by the Biden administration after a lawsuit from Texas.

"Solicitor General Aaron Nielson stated in court that while there have always been individuals who cross the border, the numbers have increased significantly. Before, discussions centered on hundreds of thousands of unaccompanied minors, but now the focus is on hundreds of thousands. Previously, the conversation revolved around a few countries, but now it encompasses essentially all countries."

The Supreme Court briefly allowed Texas' efforts to go ahead, but later blocked them hours later due to appeals court arguments on the merits of the case.

Planet Chronicle Digital's Jasmine Baehr contributed to this report.