A man who has been accused of human smuggling on two prior occasions was arrested once more Wednesday after Border Patrol agents found two Guatemala citizens illegally present in the country in his tractor trailer.
Raul Armando Guerrero was charged with attempting to transport two people illegally present in the United States during an inspection at the Falfurrias checkpoint.
On March 29, at around 10:15 p.m., Border Patrol agents encountered Guerrero driving a white International tractor pulling a trailer who stated he was traveling alone.
Guerrero stated he was heading to Los Angeles when a K-9 unit alerted agents to the truck Guerrero was driving.
During the secondary inspection of the cab, one person was discovered concealed under the bed and another was hiding under a towel behind the refrigerator.
During an interview with authorities, Guerrero said he had been employed at his company for about two and a half years and that he’s an “over the road” company driver.
He stated that he left Houston at 2 p.m. that same day and was enroute to McAllen to pick up a load of mangos.
“After arriving at McAllen, TX, at about 6:30 p.m., he made his way to a gas station off Monte Cristo Rd. to weigh his load and use the restroom at about 7:30 p.m.,” the criminal complaint said. “Guerrero stated he was away from his truck for about 25 minutes.”
The driver denied he knew that there were people in his cab.
The criminal complaint states that Guerrero had been previously arrested on two occasions for smuggling illegally present people and on both occasions, people were discovered under the bed of the sleeper.
One of the Guatemalan citizens stated that he feared for his life because he had not been instructed on how to get out from underneath the bed compartment in the event of an emergency.
Guerrero is set to appear before state Magistrate Judge Jason B. Libby for a preliminary examination and detention hearing Thursday morning.
