Authorities take 16 illegal immigrants into custody


By Associated Press
1/15/2008 3:25 PM


MUSKOGEE, Okla. (AP) -- Federal agents have taken 16 alleged illegal immigrants into custody after they were found in a sport utility vehicle that was stopped by police in eastern Oklahoma.

Officers stopped the 2000 Ford Excursion for a traffic violation about 2 p.m. Sunday on Interstate 40 near Webbers Falls.

"The driver, 24, presented a Mexican driver's license," Muskogee County sheriff's deputy Jimmy Williams said. "He spoke a little English and was an illegal alien.

"He said he was taking the men in the vehicle to Tennessee for work and they had no legal papers to be in the United States.

"The Excursion was just loaded with people in the floorboard in the back."

None of the occupants had a visa or a passport.

Muskogee County Sheriff Charles Pearson said an attempt will be made to confiscate the full-size SUV under forfeiture laws.

"It probably would be good for transport because it holds so many people," he said.

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