SMITH COUNTY, Texas — **EDITOR'S NOTE: The video attached was produced on May 18, 2022.
An East Texas man was handed four life sentences by a Smith County judge on Thursday.
According to the Smith County District Attorney's Office, Ernesto Castellon, 18, of Tyler, was sentenced by Judge Reeve Jackson in the 114th District Court after he was caught selling narcotics and automatic weapons to an undercover officer.
The undercover officer was part of an East Texas Anti-Gang Center operation which is made up of multiple law enforcement agencies including the Smith County Sheriff's Office (SCSO), the Tyler Police Department (TPD) and the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS).
According to the SCSO, on June 29, 2021, around 3 p.m., Smith County investigators were conducting surveillance around the Pilot Truck Stop located at FM 14 and Interstate 20 when they Castellon, who had outstanding felony arrest warrants.
Officials say when Castellon was spotted, Special Investigations Unit and Smith County SWAT attempted to take him into custody. He then sped off in his vehicle injuring a SWAT member in the process.
Castellon continued south on FM 14 toward Tyler reaching speeds of more than 100 MPH. After entering city limits, Castellon continued south on Church St. with Smith County deputies close behind.
As Castellon approached the T-intersection of Pabst St. and E. Berta St., a deputy struck the rear of his vehicle causing Castellon to lose control and run off the road into a grassy area.
Castellon was quickly taken into custody. DOS says when they searched his vehicle, a large amount of illicit drugs was discovered inside the car.