Thread: TX:3 accused of running immigrant smuggling ring denied bail

3 accused of running immigrant smuggling ring denied bail

By ALICIA A. CALDWELL Associated Press Writer
© 2007 The Associated Press

EL PASO, Texas — A man, his son and a woman accused of running a smuggling ring in which truckers were paid to transport illegal immigrants in sleeper cabs were ordered held without bail by a federal judge Tuesday.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents arrested Ramon Felix, 46, and his 24-year-old son, Pablo Felix, at their El Paso home Monday on smuggling conspiracy charges. Herminia Guzman-Rubalcava, 50, also was arrested Monday in El Paso and appeared in court with the Felixes.

Another hearing was set for Friday morning.

As the charges were read, Ramon Felix and Guzman-Rubalcava listened silently, saying only "yes" or "yes, sir," when asked a question by U.S. Magistrate Judge Richard P. Mesa. Pablo Felix, who also answered "yes" or "yes, sir," shook his head as Mesa described the allegations.

The three, who appeared in court in blue and white-striped jail jump suits with their hands and feet shackled, have been indicted on charges of conspiracy to smuggle immigrants, conspiracy to aid or assist previously deported and convicted aggravated felons, and aiding and abetting in the transportation of illegal immigrants.

Ramon Felix, known as "Gerber," is accused of running the smuggling ring that charged would-be immigrants from Mexico, South America and Central America about $2,500 each to be driven into the interior of the United States. ICE investigators say the trio would hide groups of immigrants awaiting transport in hotels or local houses.

The elder Felix is accused of paying American truck drivers about $600 for each immigrant.

Investigator said the group's clients included men, women, children and some convicted criminals who previously had been deported.

Mesa said the Felixes will be appointed public defenders. Guzman-Rubalcava has indicated she will hire her own lawyer, though Mesa did not give the attorney's name in court Tuesday.

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/tx/4903419.html

The elder Felix is accused of paying American truck drivers about $600 for each immigrant.

I hope the figure out who these American truckers are and prosecute them to the fullest extent allowable under law.

Can you imagine how bad it's going to get when the Mexican trucks are allowed further into the United States? Right now they are not allowed deep into our interior, however, if Bush has his way, all that will change soon. When it does, those illegals that sneak over on foot will be able to get passage to anywhere in the country. Sure, some will be smuggled in by truck, but the bigger threat will be the pipeline these trucks will create to deliver illegals all over the country. Most of the illegals will still sneak across the border on their own, but once here they'll have passage arranged on a Mexican truck.