TX: Manhunt launched after human smuggling suspect escapes f

Manhunt launched after human smuggling suspect escapes federal custody

April 04, 2011 3:09 PM
Naxiely Lopez
The Monitor
10 comments

McALLEN — A manhunt was launched after a human smuggling suspect, who was expected to make an initial appearance in federal court Monday morning, managed to escape from custody.

Victor Alfredo Arriaga-Chavez, 20, was scheduled to appear in court before U.S Magistrate Judge Dorina Ramos at McAllen’s Bentsen Tower, 1701 W. U.S. Highway 83, after U.S. Border Patrol agents arrested him along with 19 other people Thursday in Mission, according to court documents.

But the suspect never made it to the courtroom. Instead, he ran west into a populated area about 10 a.m. U.S. Border Patrol officials did not disclose how Arriaga-Chavez was able to evade authorities, citing it was an ongoing investigation.

The suspected smuggler was detained near Hardwicks Farm in Mission after agents followed a set of footprints leading north from the Rio Grande, federal authorities said. After dispatching a helicopter and following the trail for about 30 minutes, agents found a group of 20 undocumented immigrants from Mexico and Central America about three miles from the river.

Several of the immigrants, who paid $5,000 to be smuggled into the country, identified the 20-year-old as their smuggler, according to the documents.

Arriaga-Chavez confessed to working as a river and foot guide for groups illegally entering the United States for about a year, according to court documents. He told investigators he was paid between $25 and $50 per person he successfully got across.

The 20-year-old also admitted to smuggling about eight or nine groups of about 15 to 20 people since he began working, officials said.

Record checks indicated the suspect was apprehended by U.S. Border Patrol on 10 previous occasions in groups ranging from three to 38 people. On those occasions, however, Arriaga-Chavez claimed to be a minor.

McAllen police, U.S. Marshals and Border Patrol agents searched through alleys, fields and homes Monday, while a U.S. Customs and Border Protection helicopter searched the area by air. Authorities, however, were unable to locate the suspect, who reportedly weighs about 105 pounds and was last seen wearing blue jeans and a white T-shirt, officials said.

Those who may know of his whereabouts are urged to call U.S. Border Patrol at 1 (800) 863-9382.

http://www.themonitor.com/news/suspect- ... pdate.html

Quote:

---

Record checks indicated the suspect was apprehended by U.S. Border Patrol on 10 previous occasions in groups ranging from three to 38 people. On those occasions, however, Arriaga-Chavez claimed to be a minor.

---

Personally I don't care if the smuggler is a toddler! I want them charged, I want to see the tab for the prosecution and incarceration of said smuggler then forwarded to Messico ( or country of the smugglers birth). Americans get hounded daily for their debts, it's time for the courts and Border Patrol to hound Messico for their debts. What I would really like is to see someone with the cojones to really stand up for America and start pointing fingers at Messico like they do to us!