Posted on 06/11/2007 11:11:58 AM PDT by dennisw
LAREDO, Texas -- Three National Guardsmen assigned to the Texas-Mexico border were accused of running an immigrant smuggling ring after 24 immigrants were found inside a van one of them was driving, the U.S. Attorney said Monday.
The three, arrested late Thursday and Friday, were arraigned Monday on the federal charge of conspiring to transport illegal immigrants.
Pfc. Jose Rodrigo Torres, 26, and Sgt. Julio Cesar Pacheco, 25, both of Laredo, and Sgt. Clarence Hodge Jr., 36, of Fort Worth were arrested near Laredo.
A Border Patrol agent found 24 illegal immigrants inside a van Torres was driving along Interstate 35 near Cotulla, Texas, about 68 miles north of the border, the U.S. attorney's office said. Torres was in uniform at the time of his arrest Thursday.
Prosecutors accused Hodge of helping Torres pass through a Border Patrol checkpoint on the highway by making it look like the two were conducting Guard business.
Both are assigned to Operation Jump Start, President Bush's initiative to place Guard troops at the border to help local and federal authorities with immigration enforcement. All the soldiers volunteer for the border initiative.
Pacheco was accused of recruiting soldiers to transport the migrants for $1,000 to $3,500 a trip. He and Hodge were arrested Friday.
No information was available on the 24 immigrants.
Texas Adjutant General Lt. Gen. Chuck Rodriguez said he was extremely disappointed to learn of the arrests.
"Our military service members have an affirmative obligation to be actively supportive of our law enforcement partners at every level of government," Rodriguez said. "This is our duty. Any breach of the public's trust and military law by our soldiers will be thoroughly investigated."
Prosecutors say the soldiers participated in several smuggling trips before last week's arrests.
The soldiers are each being held by civilian law enforcement authorities on $75,000 bond. Texas military forces will determine whether the men will be charged under military justice as well, according to a statement issued by the Texas National Guard.
And who didnt expect this to happen?
OK, that’s just wrong.
hopefully their case is taken seriously, and that they are put in stocks in a public square.
These guys will probably get a slap on the wrist, or a raise, while Ramos and Compean rot in a cell for 11 years!
ping
Gee, I wonder if they will be arrested?
“Remember, supporting an invasion of your country is OK, to defend that same country is a felony”
Incredible!
Will Ted Kennedy be the one to pin the medal of valor on their lapels?
Remember, Eisenhower dropped the hammer on border officials that were corrupt. These guys should all get hard time in Leavenworth, and THEN serve time in a Texas civilian jail, back to back.
Bush will probably order that they be promoted.
Ha,ha,maybe they just got the “official” Washington policy on what they’re supposed to do mixed up.Lord knows it would be an easy enough thing to do !!!
Good grief!
This is certainly not new. I worked briefly with a female Marine Reserve Sergeant back in 1973 who told me about how she was sneaking her relatives and others across the border at San Diego and getting by the searches by being in uniform. She even used military vehicles a couple of times. She was an arrogant piece of work who did little work and got by because she was a favorite among the senior staff. I was glad that the assignment to that unit was only temporary.
gillman, the military is going to do .......what was it you said on the other thread?
Texas Guardsmen charged with transporting illegal immigrants
Web Posted: 06/11/2007 11:15 AM CDT
LAREDO – Three Texas National Guardsmen on duty along the border to help bolster security were charged with conspiracy to transport illegal aliens this morning in federal court here.
Border Patrol agents arrested Jose Rodrigo Torres, 26 and Julio Cesar Pacheco, 25, both of Laredo, and Clarence Hodge Jr., 36, of Fort Worth, last week, the US Attorney’s Office said.
They were released on $75,000 bonds this morning.
[end snip]
King Jorge will probably pardon them.
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