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Sheriff May Take Illegals’ Wheels

By GABE WELLS and ADAM TOWNSEND



Three illegal immigrants from Vera Cruz, Mexico, were arrested Thursday by Ohio County sheriff’s deputies, and the vehicle in which they were traveling may become county property.

Meanwhile, an immigration-related rally originally scheduled for today in Wheeling has been postponed.

Jose Juis Preza Parra, 26; Guillermo Preza Parra, 21, and Olga Pena Hernandez, 18, were taken into custody by the Ohio County Sheriff’s Department at about 8:45 a.m. Thursday following a traffic stop in the eastbound lanes of Interstate 70 near the weigh station in Wheeling. Deputy Tim Gessler stopped the vehicle after he recorded it traveling 67 mph in the 55 mph zone. Ohio County Sheriff Tom Burgoyne said the Mexicans will be detained as investigators contact immigration officials.

Burgoyne said the illegal immigrants were traveling from Denver, Colo., to Atlantic City, N.J., in a 1998 Dodge Intrepid, and Burgoyne said he is in the process of seizing that vehicle. The Intrepid, according to the sheriff, is in excellent condition, and Burgoyne said he will meet with Ohio County Prosecutor Scott Smith to discuss the matter.

‘‘The car is owned by an individual who has been in the country for six years illegally,’’ Burgoyne said. ‘‘The 26-year-old male works in Colorado in the winter and New Jersey in summer. He owns the car and has the title. I haven’t talked to the prosecutor, but we are going to take steps to seize the vehicle.’’

Jose Juis Preza Parra, who was driving the vehicle at the time of the stop, had no license or insurance, according to Burgoyne. The sheriff said the vehicle was not properly registered, and it is currently impounded by the Ohio County Sheriff’s Department.

Guillermo Preza Parra, who is the brother of the driver, has been in this country for two years illegally, while Hernandez has been in this country illegally for eight months, according to Burgoyne.

Burgoyne was scheduled to speak today at Wheeling’s Heritage Port on the need for immigration reform. His remarks were to be part of a rally organized by the Ohio County Republican Party. The rally was set to call for more stringent immigration enforcement, but it was canceled because of scheduling issues. Party Chairwoman Kathy Fortunato said she will reschedule the rally but has not yet set a date.