Florida State Troopers, Guardsman Now On Patrol At Texas Border

FLORIDA — Gov. Ron DeSantis said the death of St. Johns County sheriff's Sgt. Michael Kunovich only reinforces his determination to assist Texas in securing the southern borders and prevent people from attempting to illegally cross from Mexico into Texas.

Kunovich, 52, a 25-year veteran of the St. Johns County Sheriff's Office, died of medical issues following a fight with an 18-year-old Guatemala national he was attempting to arrest on May 19.

Vergilio Aguilar Mendez, who is in the country illegally and is being detained by ICE, has been charged with murder and resisting law enforcement with violence.

"Sgt. Michael Kunovich was killed in the line of duty by an illegal immigrant who took advantage of our open border," DeSantis said Friday. "Our prayers go out to the Kunovich family and the entire St. Johns County Sheriff's Office community during this time. Joe Biden’s reckless immigration policies are deadly. It is no way to run a country."

To prevent further illegal border crossings, DeSantis announced last week that he was sending 1,100 personnel to Texas to help defend the border in what he's calling Operation Lone Star.

Florida’s border defense "troops" are now on the ground in Del Rio, Texas, ready to help the state of Texas control the masses of people attempting to illegally cross the border into the United States, Gov. Ron DeSantis said.

The deployment is in response to last week's request by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott for help from the governors of other states through the federal Emergency Management Assistance Compact. He said the numbers of undocumented immigrants attempting to cross the border following the expiration of Title 42 on May 11 has overwhelmed all of his resources.

Title 42 is a pandemic-era policy that shut down virtually all avenues for migrants to seek asylum in the U.S. and called for the immediate expulsion of migrants at the border.

EMAC allows other states to provide resources in times of emergency. The EMAC process also ensures resources and personnel deployed for emergencies are eligible for FEMA reimbursement.

In response to Abbott's plea, DeSantis sent 101 Florida Highway Patrol troopers, 200 Florida Department of Law Enforcement officers, 20 Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officers, 800 National Guard soldiers and 20 radio technicians, mechanics and planners from the Florida Division of Emergency Management to Texas.

Related:

• Latino Advocacy Group Issues Travel Advisory For Florida
• DeSantis To Deploy 1,100 Personnel To Aid Immigration Influx In Texas

DeSantis reported that the Florida National Guard are stationed at Texas Military Department static observation points, taking part in roving patrols and helping to devise obstacles to prevent crossings. He said 436 guard members have also completed training on the use of force and narcotic overdose medicine, and are now on working side by side with members of the Texas National Guard.

Additionally, FDLE agents and eight support team members have been sworn in, allowing them to enforce Texas laws. They are assisting Texas law enforcement agencies with investigations into human, drug and weapon smuggling along the border.

So far, they've assisted with 32 arrests, including several gang members on charges of human smuggling, firearms and possession of cocaine, methamphetamine and marijuana.

Meanwhile, 101 state troopers have arrived in Texas with two fixed-wing aircraft to patrol the border as well as two mobile commend vehicles. One is stationed in Weslaco and the other in Del Rio to serve as operational command centers, provide communications and operate drones used to remotely patrol the border.

Also on the ground in Del Rio are 20 sworn FWC officers and two mechanics equipped with 10 shallow draft vessels capable of navigating rivers of various depths and 24 four-wheel drive patrol vehicles.

“The impacts of Biden’s border crisis are felt by communities across the nation, and the federal government’s abdication of duty undermines the sovereignty of our country and the rule of law,” said DeSantis. “While Biden ignores the crisis he created, Florida stands ready to help Texas respond to this crisis.”

Texas Border At A Glimpse

Here are some examples of what the Florida deployment will encounter at the Texas border.

In the past 24 hours, U.S. Border Patrol encountered 1,001 people illegally crossing the border and seized 95 pounds of narcotics.

In the 72 hours leading to Tuesday, the Border Patrol apprehended 8,750 people crossing illegally, including three sex offenders and one gang member, and confiscated 1,000 pounds of liquid meth, 97 pounds of marijuana, 36 pounds of cocaine, 7 pounds of fentanyl and five firearms.

They also rescued 112 people locked in a semi-tractor trailer who were being trafficked.

And in the week leading up to May 19, three border patrol agents were assaulted and agents seized 132 pounds of fentanyl, 5 pounds of meth, 248 pounds of marijuana, 50,532 rounds of ammunition and 15 guns.

In the week leading up to May 12, 18 agents were assaulted, 113 pounds of fentanyl, 66 pounds of cocaine, 323 pounds of marijuana and 11 firearms were confiscated. Additionally, 28,473 people were caught crossing the border, including eight sex offenders and four gang members.

From October through April, the Border Patrol apprehended 1,246,371 people crossing illegally, including 5,928 with criminal records and 377 gang members. The patrol also rescued 17,810 victims of human trafficking and confiscated 30,439 pounds of marijuana, 8,106 of meth, 6,801 pounds of cocaine, 1,526 pound of fentanyl, 87 pounds of ecstasy and 76 pounds of heroin.