Driver accused of smuggling immigrants
The below article appeared in the Salt Lake Tribune August 22, 2007:
Driver accused of smuggling immigrants
By Pamela Manson
The Salt Lake Tribune
A 27-year-old Guatemalan who was stopped for speeding in Utah has been accused of trying to smuggle undocumented immigrants across the United States.
In a criminal complaint made public Tuesday, federal prosecutors claim Mariano Hernandez-Gonzalez was driving 10 Guatemalan nationals from Los Angeles to Morganton, N.C., when he was stopped on Aug. 15 in Summit County. Utah Highway Patrol Trooper Russell Keisel allegedly clocked a Toyota Sienna minivan being driven by Hernandez-Gonzalez at 80 mph in a 65-mph zone.
Hernandez-Gonzalez produced a driver license out of Baja California, Mexico, that identified him under another name, the complaint states. He allegedly was unable to produce documentation showing he was in the United States legally.
The trooper then had all the occupants get out of the van and identify themselves. As they were exiting, Kiesel said he noticed several bottles of liquid inside the van that looked like urine.
Hernandez-Gonzalez had $1465 in his wallet, which he allegedly said came from a friend in Morganton who had asked him to drive the van there. He said the vehicle was brought to him on Aug. 14 in Los Angeles already loaded with passengers.
U.S. Immigration and Custom Enforcement agents who interviewed the travelers say all 11 people, including Hernandez-Gonzalez, are Guatemalans who sneaked into the country. The agents claim Hernandez-Gonzalez admitted he knew his passengers, who range in age from 15 to 28, were in the United States illegally.
According to the complaint, the friend in North Carolina is the registered owner of six Toyota Siennas. Court records do not show any charges have been filed against him.
pmanson@sltrib.com
Driver accused of smuggling immigrants
By Pamela Manson
The Salt Lake Tribune
A 27-year-old Guatemalan who was stopped for speeding in Utah has been accused of trying to smuggle undocumented immigrants across the United States.
In a criminal complaint made public Tuesday, federal prosecutors claim Mariano Hernandez-Gonzalez was driving 10 Guatemalan nationals from Los Angeles to Morganton, N.C., when he was stopped on Aug. 15 in Summit County. Utah Highway Patrol Trooper Russell Keisel allegedly clocked a Toyota Sienna minivan being driven by Hernandez-Gonzalez at 80 mph in a 65-mph zone.
Hernandez-Gonzalez produced a driver license out of Baja California, Mexico, that identified him under another name, the complaint states. He allegedly was unable to produce documentation showing he was in the United States legally.
The trooper then had all the occupants get out of the van and identify themselves. As they were exiting, Kiesel said he noticed several bottles of liquid inside the van that looked like urine.
Hernandez-Gonzalez had $1465 in his wallet, which he allegedly said came from a friend in Morganton who had asked him to drive the van there. He said the vehicle was brought to him on Aug. 14 in Los Angeles already loaded with passengers.
U.S. Immigration and Custom Enforcement agents who interviewed the travelers say all 11 people, including Hernandez-Gonzalez, are Guatemalans who sneaked into the country. The agents claim Hernandez-Gonzalez admitted he knew his passengers, who range in age from 15 to 28, were in the United States illegally.
According to the complaint, the friend in North Carolina is the registered owner of six Toyota Siennas. Court records do not show any charges have been filed against him.
pmanson@sltrib.com
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Hell the way our Government operates they may give him a metal and let him go. A whole Bunch of B.S.[}:)][:(][xx(][V] 0
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