Van stop on I-95 uncovers 17 illegal immigrants
Each faces up to 10 years in prison, $250,000 fine
By SEAN O'SULLIVAN, The News Journal

Posted Thursday, January 25, 2007
WILMINGTON -- For the second time in two months, Delaware police have intercepted a truck full of illegal immigrants on a cross-country trip.

In both cases, federal prosecutors have filed felony charges of transporting illegal immigrants.

"We've had very few cases of these in Delaware, period, and the fact we have had two so closely connected in time is unusual," U.S. Attorney Colm F. Connolly said Wednesday.

In the latest incident, Delaware State Police stopped a van for speeding on I-95 on Jan. 17 and discovered 17 people packed inside who spoke little or no English and were all in the country illegally.

Pedro Hernandez-Sanchez and Ricardo Zanela-Castelan, both of Mexico, admitted to taking turns driving the van and knowing the passengers were illegal immigrants, according to court records.

Special Agent William Horn testified that the men said most of the people in the van had crossed the border together.

The two also said they had agreed to drive the van in exchange for half off the fee they paid smugglers to get them across the border.

Hernandez-Sanchez had his $1,500 fee cut to $750 and Zalena-Castelan's was cut from $1,600 to $800.

Each now faces up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

The 15 others in the van were being held by immigration officials.

Horn also testified that during the trip, only Hernandez-Sanchez and Zalena-Castelan would leave the van during stops for food.

Zalena-Castelan's attorney, Ubel G. Velez, said the group apparently entered the country at Nogales, Ariz., and was transported to St. Louis, Mo., then transferred to the van.

They were headed to New York City when the van was stopped in Delaware, shortly after crossing the Maryland line, driving 64 mph in a 55-mph zone, according to attorneys and testimony.

After a short hearing Tuesday, Magistrate Judge Mary Pat Thynge found there was enough evidence to hold the two men pending trial.

The earlier incident took place Dec. 4, when state police stopped a pickup truck on I-95 for speeding with 13 people riding in the back. Most spoke little or no English.

All the passengers were in the country illegally, and were en route from Texas to New Jersey, according to court papers. The driver, Jesus Salinas-Escamilla, reportedly had $1,000 in cash and admitted he was paid by the people who smuggled him into the country to drive the pickup.

He was later charged with transporting illegal immigrants and ordered to prison pending trial.

Horn would not comment after Tuesday's hearings, referring questions to an Immigration and Customs Enforcement supervisor, William Lowder, who referred all questions to a spokesperson in Washington.

Immigration officials in Washington did not return calls seeking comment.

Contact Sean O'Sullivan at 324-2777 or sosullivan@delawareonline.com