Woman charged with transporting undocumented immigrants
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August 05, 2009 10:05 AM

By ILDEFONSO ORTIZ

A Brownsville woman was arrested by U.S. Border Patrol agents for transporting three undocumented immigrants, who had just crossed the Rio Grande, according to court documents.

Jennifer Lee Rivera, 31, was charged with knowingly transporting the illegal aliens by means of a motor vehicle with intent to further their unlawful presence and for financial gain, says a criminal complaint filed by USBP.

On Monday Rivera went before U.S. Magistrate Judge Ronald Morgan, who ordered she be held without bond by the U.S. Marshals Service pending a detention hearing set for Aug 6.

The arrest took place Saturday at about 10:45 a.m. when an USBP agent, monitoring a remote video surveillance system, dispatched various agents to an area along the Rio Grande near Gateway International Bridge. The agent had spotted seven individuals heading away from the river, the Border Patrol said.

When the agents approached the area, they saw the individuals climbing into a Dodge Intrepid, court records show.

After spotting the agents, some of the individuals who had been in the car ran into nearby brush in an attempt to abscond into Mexico, USBP said.

The agents were able to apprehend three illegal immigrants and Rivera, the immigrants are facing deportation, court records show.

Once in custody Rivera provided the agents with a sworn statement admitting that she was picking up undocumented immigrants and that she was going to get paid $40 per person transported, USBP said.


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