07/15/2008
Illegal aliens nabbed in Sherrill
By JODY McNICHOL , Dispatch Staff Writer

SHERRILL - When the Sherrill City Police stopped a truck for speeding on the Fourth of July, they didn't anticipate the turn of events that followed.

According to Chief James Hastings, the patrol stopped the truck on Route 5, near P&C, around 1 a.m. The driver, who didn't speak English, couldn't produce a driver's license, green card or work visa. The officer called the Fort Ontario Border Patrol in Oswego. The driver was ticketed for unlicensed operation and speeding. There were three passengers in the truck.
While waiting for the federal authorities to show up, officers on the scene noticed a car driving back and forth. "When Border Patrol pulled up, the car pulled up to the group and stopped," said Hastings.
Apparently, he said, the second car had been following the truck. Once the leader had been pulled over, the car's driver was unsure what to do next.
Border Patrol was able to determine the seven men were illegal immigrants from Mexico. A Border Patrol van out of the Oswego station was called and picked up all seven, four from the truck and three from car.
"We see it more and more," said Hastings. Even though they can get work visas, they come in illegally. "These guys had no ID and no proof of citizenship."
Hastings said he did not anticipate the driver returning to Sherrill for his court date.
Marcos Hernandez, 22, of Hidalgo Mexico, was charged with speeding and unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle.
The vehicles, identified as belonging to Paeyang Construction out of Greer, S.C., were impounded and later picked up by the company. There was no listing found for Paeyang Construction.
The person answering the phone at the Fort Ontario Border Patrol Office, would not identify herself "to the press" but did say, "they probably went to jail but I don't know which one. Wherever we can find a place for them."
A message to Border Patrol Sector Headquarters in Buffalo was not returned by press time.

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