September 21, 2012 | By Scott Flowers
The Light and Champion



Timpson Police Department made an arrest following a routine traffic stop for a traffic violation on Highway 59 North, and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement as well as Homeland Security were involved in the arrest.

Timpson Police Officer Robert Hairgrove initiated the stop of a Toyota Sequoia at 8:50 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 19. As Officer Hairgrove approached the vehicle he discovered that there were 10 individuals within the vehicle, including the driver. Through Officer Hairgrove’s investigation it was determined that all of the occupants were illegally in the United States. Texas Department of Public Safety State Trooper Dustin Ramos arrived at the scene to assist Officer Hairgrove with the investigation.

The driver submitted to a search of the vehicle, and everyone within the vehicle submitted to a pat down search.

Shelby County Sheriff’s Deputy Gina Breseman arrived at the scene to assist the other officers, and assisted them with an inventory of the vehicle.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement put a hold on everyone in the vehicle including the driver for deportation to Mexico.

The driver and all of his passengers, who were reportedly traveling to North Carolina for work, were taken into custody at the scene.

The driver, Francisco Javier Padron-Rivera, 29, of Mexico was arrested at the scene for smuggling of persons.

The passengers that were also taken into custody were Rodolfo Garcia, 40; Jose Vargas, 34; Jose Garcia, 36; Misael Garcia, 30; Jose Zuragoza, 51; Jose Mendez, 34; Ivan Banuelos-Cortes, 28; German Mendez, 17; Josse Banuelos, 33, all of Mexico.

The driver and the passengers are all being held at the Shelby County Jail.

Timpson PD, ICE, Homeland Security operation nets arrest | Light and Champion