Border Patrol on Saturday arrested a Michigan man after finding 27 people inside the tractor-trailer he drove to the Falfurrias checkpoint.
Rodney James Legion arrived at the checkpoint that day at about 1:11 a.m. in a green 2012 International Tractor where a canine alerted to the trailer, according to a criminal complaint.
Legion told the agent he was alone and that he was hauling canvas coats, but an inspection at secondary revealed that he had 27 people in the country illegally hidden inside the trailer.
A search of his phone revealed communications where he was requested to transport 25 people as well as a message about him being paid an additional $500 if he provided his “baby mama’s” vehicle to smuggle more people, according to the complaint.
During an interview, Legion claimed a company named Bravo Lines hired him and arranged a flight from Detroit to McAllen where he would pick up a load and drive it to Dallas, according to Border Patrol.
The complaint said Legion claimed this was his first trip and that he would be paid $2,000.
This is not Legion’s first encounter with Border Patrol that placed him behind bars.
Agents arrested him at the Sarita checkpoint with another Michigan man on Aug. 31, 2020 after finding two people in the country illegally hidden in a vehicle.
He was convicted in that case and sentenced to six months in federal prison, records show.
Legion made a first appearance Monday in Corpus Christi federal court in front of U.S. Magistrate Judge Julie K. Hampton, who ordered him temporarily held without bond pending further court proceedings.
He is charged with bringing in and harboring people in the country illegally.
This story was updated to change its headline for clarity.
