Illegal Immigrants running through gap in border fence lead to smuggler’s arrest

6/9/2014

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A smuggler pleaded guilty to a felony smuggling case involving an attempted transport of nine unauthorized immigrants.

Julio Cesar Moreno Jr. is accused of picking up immigrants present in the US illegally while he was parked near a gap in the border fence in Brownsville.

The immigrants from Central America ran through the gap and jumped inside Moreno’s Ford Explorer near George Saenz Lane, according to documents filed in the US Southern District Court.

They were spotted by US Border Patrol near the border wall, and that’s when agents apprehended the immigrants and the driver of the SUV.

Border Patrol agents conducted an investigation and determined Moreno was the driver of the Explorer, a criminal complaint said.

The nine immigrants were from Guatemala and Honduras.

Moreno allegedly admitted he was transporting the unauthorized immigrants.

He was being paid $100.00 to be on the lookout for Border Patrol, according to documents obtained by Action 4 News.

Moreno’s bond was set at $50,000 for the crime, and he was placed in custody of the US Marshals.

Some of the immigrants who were serving as witnesses have been turned over to Immigration Services after the guilty plea.

Moreno faces up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 for the criminal violation.

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