Thread: TX - Vehicle carried 11 undocumented immigrants, police say

March 20, 2012 9:25 PM

A U.S. magistrate judge ordered Monday that a man accused of human smuggling be held without bond until a detention hearing later this week.

Erick Smith Chavez-Bobadilla is charged with conspiring to further the illegal entry of undocumented aliens for monetary gain. He was arrested by Brownsville police Friday.

Police stopped a "suspicious" vehicle driven by Chavez-Bobadilla around 11:20 p.m. on Boca Chica Boulevard, according to a criminal complaint.

The complaint states that 11 people in addition to Chavez-Bobadilla were crammed into the vehicle.

Officers notified Border Patrol agents, who determined that all 11 people were undocumented immigrants, according to the complaint.

Border Patrol agents say interviews revealed Chavez-Bobadilla was transporting the group in exchange for payment.

Chavez-Bobadilla will face a judge Thursday for a preliminary hearing as well as a detention hearing.

Vehicle carried 11 undocumented immigrants, police say | bobadilla, chavez, police - Brownsville Herald

Officers notified Border Patrol agents, who determined that all 11 people were undocumented immigrants, according to the complaint.

They are illegal foreign nationals, not undocumented immigrants.