A man accused of pulling a gun on a Border Patrol agent and speeding through the Falfurrias checkpoint on Sunday made a first appearance in Corpus Christi federal court Thursday.
Nicholas Cortines was charged with evading an immigration checkpoint, court records show.
The complaint against Cortines said the incident happened at the Falfurrias checkpoint at 8:10 p.m. Sunday when he showed up in a blue Chevrolet Equinox that he allegedly stole from his father.
“During the immigration inspection, Cortines pulled out a handgun and pointed it outside of his vehicle,” the complaint said. “While Cortines was reaching for his handgun, the Border Patrol Agent pulled out his handgun and stepped slightly back from Cortines’ window.”
Border Patrol said Cortines then dropped the gun, which was later recovered, before taking off at a high rate of speed northbound on U.S. Highway 281.
During the chase, the complaint said speeds reached 100 mph before Cortines crashed approximately one mile south of Premont.
“Cortines agreed to be interviewed by the FBI. Cortines advised that he was visiting his father in Faysville, Texas prior to the incident at the checkpoint,” the complaint said. “Cortines got into a physical fight with his father and ultimately stole his father’s handgun and car, which was the Chevrolet Equinox.”
He remained jailed Thursday pending court hearings scheduled for next week.
