Thread: TX Traffic stops lead to illegal immigration busts - More than a dozen in one van

KYTX
By Field Sutton

VIDEO: http://www.cbs19.tv/story/16696170/a...clipId=6718159



ANGELINA COUNTY (KYTX) -- More than a dozen people were in jail Tuesday after being accused of being in the U.S. illegally. Sheriff's deputies caught them during traffic stops in Angelina County.

At 11:00 Saturday night, a deputy pulled over an SUV for speeding down Highway 59 south. When he came up to write the ticket he realized it was packed to the gills with eight adults.

"What they'll do is conduct sort of a mini investigation and they'll talk to the driver first," Angelina County Sheriff's Investigator Donald Carroll said.

The driver laid out a story, so the deputy started asking the passengers about it, and found discrepancies.

Twelve hours later another driver allegedly forgot to use his blinker. A deputy pulled him over and found four more people inside. The department told CBS19 they were also here illegally.

"A lot of time when something is not right then something won't match ad that's when you go further with the investigation," Carroll said.

In all, thirteen people have been either charged or are under a hold ordered by Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) based on the department's investigation.

They are: 18-year-old Denis Nolasco-Muricia, 23-year-old Kelvin Gavara, 22-year-old Luis Amaya, 32-year-old Esteban Bueso Junior, 27-year-old Ruben Callejas, 24-year-old Angel Mencia, 22-year-old Roger Mejia, 23-year-old Mariano Zarate, 28-year-old Rubin Arredonda-Espreneda, 35-year-old Estelle Collins, 27-year-old Pablo Benitez, 22-year-old Olvin Melgar and 27-year-old Esmaralda Gonzales.

The Sheriff's department said they have more options than they used to when it comes to dealing with illegal immigration. They also have a new ICE agent on site to speed up cases like these.

"The state has now put some teeth into the offense," Carroll said. "They have an offense for it too. So the state can pick up the charges and there's federal charges.

Even though the ICE agent for this case works with the Angelina County Sheriff's Department, this case is now out of the department's hands. ICE was responsible for ordering those holds that are keeping all thirteen in jail and they're also the ones who would have to order any potential deportations.

CBS 19 has learned that one of the thirteen was arraigned in federal court in Beaumont. He is facing both state and federal charges, but he has not been identified publicly.

Arraignment dates for the other twelve have not been announced.

Source: Traffic stops lead to illegal immigration busts - KYTX CBS 19 Tyler Longview News Weather Sports

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