BCSO nabs 14 illegal aliens

November 25, 2010 3:03 PM
NEWS HERALD STAFF REPORT

PANAMA CITY — On Tuesday, Bay County Sheriff’s deputies observed a truck with out-of-state tags driven erratically as it left a local construction site at 11th Street and Sherman Avenue, officials wrote in a news release. When deputies conducted a traffic stop they discovered the driver had a suspended driver’s license. The driver stated to deputies he was in the United States illegally and was living with 16 other illegal aliens in two rental homes located nearby.

Bay County Sheriff’s Office deputies initiated surveillance of the locations and determined the rental homes were occupied. When deputies approached and were attempting to communicate with those in the home, five individuals crawled out a window and were captured after a short foot pursuit. The rest of the individuals surrendered to authorities peacefully and were processed by the Immigrations and Customs Enforcement agents. Fourteen individuals were taken into custody.

The Bay County Sheriff’s Office also has placed a charge of criminal use of personal identification information on six individuals who were using stolen social security numbers.

They are Felix Martinez Ramos, a citizen of Mexico; Enrique Gomez Mejia, a citizen of Guatemala; Modesto Najera Gonzalez, a citizen of Mexico; Alejandro Gonzalez Cruz, a citizen of Mexico; Juan Carlos Gonzalez Gonzalez, a citizen of Mexico; and Mario Mansillo Martinez, a citizen of Mexico.

All fourteen will be held at the Bay County Jail pending deportation proceedings, officials wrote.

During the investigation, it was learned that this group of illegal aliens had been brought to Bay County from Atlanta to work specifically at the construction site at the corner of 11th Street and Sherman Avenue.

“I have received information that within the last 24 hours, local construction workers have been to this particular construction site seeking work and were denied employment,â€