Federal authorities in Corpus Christi say an Oklahoma truck driver is facing human smuggling and drug charges after Border Patrol agents discovered 42 illegal aliens packed inside a locked tractor-trailer during a checkpoint inspection in South Texas.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas announced that Juan Nasario-Reyes, 43, of Beaver, was arrested following the May 16 stop at the Border Patrol checkpoint in Sarita.
Investigators allege Nasario-Reyes drove a white Volvo tractor-trailer into the checkpoint and told agents the vehicle was empty and that he was traveling alone. Federal authorities said agents became suspicious after observing what they described as nervous behavior during questioning.
A Border Patrol K-9 later alerted agents to both the sleeper compartment of the truck and the trailer itself, according to charging documents.
During a secondary inspection, law enforcement allegedly found four illegal aliens concealed inside the truck’s cab area and another 38 people locked inside the trailer.
Federal prosecutors said the trailer had been latched shut from the outside, leaving those inside with no apparent way to escape or open the doors themselves.
Investigators reported finding water bottles, trash, a cushion, and a bucket that appeared to be used as a toilet inside the trailer. Authorities also stated the interior temperature measured roughly 92.5 degrees during the encounter.
The individuals discovered inside the vehicle were identified as nationals of Mexico, El Salvador, Honduras, Guatemala, Ecuador, Peru, Colombia, Cuba, and Brazil.
Law enforcement also allegedly recovered approximately 16 grams of methamphetamine, along with a glass pipe and funnel, from inside the cab area of the truck.
Federal officials said 13 of the illegal aliens are now facing federal illegal entry or illegal reentry charges. The remaining individuals are expected to face expedited removal proceedings.
Nasario-Reyes is scheduled to appear before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jason B. Libby on May 19. If convicted on the human smuggling charges, he faces up to five years in federal prison and a maximum $250,000 fine. The narcotics charge carries a potential sentence of up to 40 years behind bars.
The investigation was conducted by Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations with assistance from the United States Border Patrol.
Federal prosecutors said the case falls under Operation Take Back America, a nationwide enforcement initiative targeting illegal immigration, cartel activity, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling operations.
