9 alleged illegal aliens indicted by federal grand jury

July 21, 2011

By MARK MARONEY

A federal grand jury Tuesday in Scranton indicted nine alleged illegal aliens from Mexico who were living in Williamsport in overcrowded apartments and working for a subcontractor with the natural gas industry, according to U.S. Middle District Court officials.

The Mexican men each face charges of unlawfully entering the United States, according to the indictments.

The prosecuting attorney, Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Simmers, said the men will be scheduled for their initial arraignments.

The indictments indicate the alleged illegals previously were deported but re-entered the country.

One of those indicted, Adrian Arriaga-Castro, 27, also faces charges alleging he lured a 12-year-old city girl into his pickup truck on the night of June 23 and harassed her.

Castro's arrest resulted in police contacting U.S. Immigration Customs and Enforcement officials, who apprehended the Mexicans allegedly living in overcrowded conditions in an apartment complex in the 300 block of Elmira Street.

The men worked nearby on East Third Street for GPX Surveys Inc., of Katy, Texas, a seismic testing company associated with the gas industry, according to police.

City Codes Administrator Joseph Gerardi said he shut down GPX Surveys' operation because it had not obtained occupancy permits. The company declined to comment when reached and U.S. immigration officials haven't commented.

When told about the grand jury indictments Wednesday afternoon, Gerardi said, "Good."

Castro remains in the Lycoming County Prison in lieu of $100,000 bail. He is scheduled for arraignment on the luring and harassment charges before County Judge Marc F. Lovecchio on Aug. 1.

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