Police suspect man illegal immigrant
Thursday, September 13, 2007
from staff reports

PLAINFIELD TWP. | A Wind Gap man being investigated for his possible involvement in illegal cosmetic sales was arrested Tuesday after officials determined he is an illegal immigrant.

Northampton County Detective Robert Miklich said Modesto Betancourt, 34, of the 200 block of Oak Street, was under investigation since June along with a woman for possibly selling cosmetics on eBay.

On Tuesday, officials went to Betancourt's home to conduct surveillance. There were allegedly boxes in the garage stacked from floor to ceiling. Officials then followed Betancourt to East Penn Self-Storage in the 6500 block of Sullivan Trail, where it is believed he and the woman are storing the cosmetics.

When authorities asked Betancourt for his Social Security number, he allegedly produced an IRS taxpayer ID instead. He then admitted he was in the country illegally, according to court documents.

"I'm an illegal Mexican. However, 100,000 other people are also," he reportedly said.

Authorities said they had to restrain Betancourt. He was arraigned before District Judge William Zaun on charges of resisting arrest, disorderly conduct and driving without a license. He was committed to Northampton County Prison in lieu of $25,000 bail.

Neither Betancourt nor the woman has been charged for the alleged illegal cosmetic business.

http://www.nj.com/news/expresstimes/pa/ ... xml&coll=2