Thread: Illegal Immigrant Business Owner Arrested For Firearm

Sanchez Motors Owner Arrested
Debbie Williams-FOLEY, Alabama

A Pensacola businessman with ties to Alabama is in federal custody at Mobile Metro Jail. Jose Sanchez De La Torre is being held on charges of a prohibited person in possession of a weapon.

Wednesday federal authorities executed search warrants at Sanchez Motors in Foley, as well as De La Torre's home.
Search warrants were also served at his business in Pensacola, Sanchez Drywall and his home there.

At least ten boxes of documents, computers, purses, medicine were taken from the home in Foley and vehicles were seized by Secret Service agents.
De La Torre was arrested for being an illegal immigrant in possession of a firearm by Homeland Security agents when a 22 rifle was recovered during the search of the Foley home.
De La Torre appeared in federal court Friday afternoon where his defense attorney Leo Thomas says he is also in the dark about what the main investigation is about and argued paperwork was pending that would affect De La Torre's legal status.

"We haven't had a detention hearing where they can file a pre trial detention motion and have a hearing and bring in evidence of why they think he should be detained pre trial. The judge rightfully put that on hold until this situation with immigration is taken care of," says Thomas.

All federal officials will say is, they have no comment on this ongoing investigation.



http://www.wkrg.com/alabama/article/san ... 1_7-12-pm/

WITH VIDEO

Foley man jailed on immigration charges

Updated: Friday, 18 Feb 2011, 5:56 PM CST
Published : Friday, 18 Feb 2011, 5:56 PM CST

* Chasity Byrd
* Photojournalist: Guy Turnbow

MOBILE, Alabama (WALA) - Federal agents searched a business and a home in Foley, as well as a business and home in Pensacola. They all belong to Jose Sanchez. Sanchez was taken into custody Wednesday and faced a preliminary hearing Friday.

"It's because of his immigration status.," said Leo Thomas.

Thomas is representing Sanchez. The official charge against Sanchez is being an illegal immigrant in possession of a firearm. The question is, why did federal agents issue the search warrants?

'It's as strange to me as it is to you what's going on," said Thomas.

Those with the US Attorney's Office would not comment. Thomas said he had no comment when asked if he thought this was a part of a bigger investigation.

Judge William Cassady ruled that there was probable cause to hold Sanchez. Agents seized things like cars and computers from Sanchez's homes and businesses. If Sanchez is found guilty of the prohibited person in possession of a firearm charge, he could face up to 10-years in jail.

http://www.fox10tv.com/dpp/news/local_n ... on-charges