Posted on 02/18/2021 8:35:41 AM PST by ransomnote
LAREDO, Texas – A 32-year-old man has been charged with conspiracy to transport illegal aliens, announced U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick.
Originally charged by criminal complaint, a Laredo grand jury returned an indictment today against Brodrick Keith Rhodes. He will appear before U.S. a magistrate judge in the near future.
The charges allege that on Jan. 12, authorities stopped Rhodes after he approached the Freer Border Patrol checkpoint driving a semi-truck and refrigerated trailer. He had claimed he was hauling lettuce and produced a bill of lading, according to the complaint.
However, law enforcement allegedly noticed discrepancies and that Rhodes appeared nervous. Further, the refrigerated trailer was set to 30 degrees but the internal temperature was at 68, according to the charges.
After a K-9 alerted to possible presence of contraband in the cargo area of the trailer and a subsequent inspection, authorities ultimately discovered 119 illegal aliens, according to the complaint.
Rhodes allegedly claimed he worked for a business in La Porte, but the bill of lading indicated he was transporting lettuce from a Laredo produce company to a location in Sugar Land. The business indicated Rhodes had never been employed with them nor do they transport outside the Houston area, according to the charges. Further, the complaint alleges the other two companies confirmed they had no record of the shipment.
According to the charges, some of the transported aliens said they had been taken to and told to get in the truck. It left soon after and did not stop until it reached the checkpoint, according to the allegations.
If convicted, Rhodes faces up to 10 years in prison and a maximum possible $250,000 fine.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation with the assistance of Border Patrol. Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul A. Harrison is prosecuting the case.
An indictment is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until convicted through due process of law.
Find out how much these 119 illegal aliens have cost the taxpayers and make this smuggling bitch pay the bill.
I though Pres dementia said anybody can come in so why prosecute the guy!
Why smuggle them in when biden et al, just are inviting them over the border?
Hell, under a Biden administration, this guy will get a job.
You have a point!
So how long until Sleepy Joe appoints him to run ICE?
Indicted? He’ll be given a cushy civil service job counting 38 cent stamps and immediately vested with a pension.
Maybe he thinks it’s like the stolen merchandise dollar value threshold before cops can arrest someone in some jurisdiction, this guy kept it under 120. 119 illegals means not so bad a sentence. (Kidding).
May 14, 2016 CBS News
Spike In Shoplifting Blamed On California Prop 47’s Reduced Penalties (hobby shop manager said $850 drones are being rushed out the door routinely now.)
May 21, 2019 Texas Tribune
Texas prosecutors want to keep low-level criminals out of overcrowded jails. Top Republicans and police aren’t happy.
(Under $750 in value means cops should not arrest them or hold them.)
Only 119? What’s the big deal
They didn’t simply catch and release him?
He needs Biden to pardon him.
Working for the D ‘coyote’ employers?
Who really pays him?
Good heavens! Did they actually use the I-word A-word phrase? Somebody’s going to get his pee-pee whacked for that.
Biden will pardon him, give him a million dollars for false imprisonment, and invite him to the white house for a beer.
Kamala or is it camela? anyway she said blah, blah, blah.
“Brodrick Keith Rhodes”
Boys with last names for first names are so special. ;)
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