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Border Patrol agents arrested a man at the Falfurrias checkpoint after the agents discovered a man illegally present in the United States inside a “hollowed-out” welding machine, according to a criminal complaint.
Francisco Armando Cerda was arrested for bringing in and harboring a person illegally present in the country after they discovered an individual inside a welding machine when a K-9 alerted to the vehicle.
On Monday, Cerda arrived at the Falfurrias checkpoint in his white Chevrolet 3500 pickup and approached the primary inspection lane where the Border Patrol agent noticed one visible occupant.
When asked about his citizenship status, Cerda immediately identified himself as a U.S. citizen while avoiding eye contact which the agent said was a sign of nervousness.
“In secondary, [Cerda] was asked to step outside the vehicle for further inspection,” the complaint said. “The canine handler and canine conducted a more thorough search of the vehicle and discovered a subject inside a hollowed-out welding machine.”
The handler helped the man out of the compartment who was later identified as a Mexican citizen.
A pat down of the man revealed a cell phone and a blue two-way radio in his possession.
According to the man, Cerda has instructed him to jump into the welding toolbox in the back of the truck and to lock the welding side door from the inside with a latch in order to secure it, so it wouldn’t fall off.
He was later able to identify Cerda in a photo line-up.
Cerda is set to appear before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mitchel Neurock in Corpus Christi Thursday morning for his preliminary examination and detention hearing.
