July 3, 2008, 11:23PM
Driver of van faces federal action
Type of charges not yet determined for man piloting vehicle containing illegal immigrants


By ERIC HANSON
Copyright 2008 Houston Chronicle


ROSENBERG — A man is facing federal charges for driving a van occupied by more than a dozen illegal immigrants who were captured by police after a routine traffic stop, officials said Thursday.

Rosenberg police arrested two Hondurans, nine Mexicans and three Guatemalans on Wednesday afternoon, said Greg Palmore, spokesman for the Houston office of Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

The driver also was taken into custody. Palmore said the driver's nationality and name were not immediately available.

The type of charges to be filed against the driver will be determined by the U.S. Attorney's Office, Palmore said.

Meanwhile, the 14 people remain in ICE custody, and their cases will follow the normal legal process, Palmore said.

Officials do not know where the driver was going or where he had come from.

Rosenberg police spokeswoman Lynn Munford said the driver also faces a local charge of evading arrest.

The investigation began when a Rosenberg police officer tried to stop a white Ford van for a routine traffic violation near 8th St. and Avenue H, Munford said.

Instead of stopping, the driver continued for a few blocks with police following.

The van crashed in the backyard of a home along Tobola near Avenue N, Munford said.

After the crash, 15 to 20 people rushed out of the van and tried to run away.

eric.hanson@chron.com

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