Thread: Trucker charged after 17 immigrants found

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Trucker charged after 17 immigrants found

Web Posted: 04/15/2006 12:08 AM CDT

San Antonio Express-News and wire reports

A trucker was charged Friday with transporting undocumented immigrants after Jourdanton police found 17 people squeezed into the sleeping compartment of a semi-tractor.

Juan Jose Hernandez Ramirez was pulled over Thursday for a traffic violation in Jourdanton, a criminal complaint said. Hernandez had no driver's license or proof of insurance, and police found the 17 immigrants while inspecting the trailer's interior before impounding the vehicle, according to the complaint.

The immigrants and Hernandez were turned over to the Border Patrol, and the immigrants told the Border Patrol officers they were to pay $1,500 to an unknown individual for being smuggled to their destinations: San Antonio and Houston.

U.S. Magistrate Pamela Mathy set Hernandez's bail hearing for next Friday.

If convicted, Hernandez faces up to 10 years in prison.

Only TEN years????????