Woman found dead in truck carrying illegal immigrants

By Steven Alford
Posted June 3, 2011 at 3:13 p.m., updated June 3, 2011 at 3:20 p.m.

COASTAL BEND — Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials are pursuing federal charges against the driver of a truck after a dead woman was found inside Wednesday in Duval County.

Brooks County deputies pursued the Ford F250 truck about 12:30 p.m. after it refused to pull over during a traffic stop, said Greg Palmore, ICE spokesman.

The truck continued into Duval County, turning off State Highway 339 and stopping in a remote area near State Highway 285. Several suspected illegal immigrants fled into the thick brush nearby.

Deputies, border patrol agents and area law enforcement searched the area, eventually finding 10 people — nine men from Mexico and a woman from El Salvador, Palmore said.

Inside the truck, deputies found a dead woman on the floor also believed to be from Mexico, Palmore said.

All 10 people were placed into federal custody at area detainment facilities while the U.S. attorney's office looks into pursuing federal charges against the driver. The truck was found to be registered in Texas, Palmore said.

Names and ages of those involved were not released by customs officials.

http://www.caller.com/news/2011/jun/03/ ... g-illegal/