A Honduran national has been charged with smuggling 51 undocumented immigrants in a refrigerated tractor-trailer, according to an announcement from U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei for the Southern District of Texas.
Greibein Alexis Pinot-Duarte, 50, is scheduled for an initial court appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Diana Song Quiroga on November 25 at 9:30 a.m.
Authorities say that on November 22, Pinot-Duarte drove a refrigerated trailer to the Border Patrol checkpoint near Freer, Texas. Officers noticed he appeared nervous. "The charges allege a K-9 alerted to the presence of humans or narcotics at the rear doors."
During secondary inspection, law enforcement reported the temperature inside was 55 degrees and there were numerous boxes of produce in the trailer. According to the complaint, officers saw what looked like a person through a plywood compartment under the boxes.
Further investigation revealed "51 illegal aliens, including two juveniles, concealed in the cramped, hidden compartment." The complaint states many did not have jackets or means to stay warm and complained about numbness and cramped limbs due to limited space.
According to officials, only one person could exit at a time from the small compartment. Each box of produce weighed between 30-40 pounds and blocked potential escape routes.
If found guilty, Pinot-Duarte could face up to ten years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement - Homeland Security Investigations led the inquiry with support from Border Patrol agents. Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew P. Hakala-Finch is handling prosecution duties.
"This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime."
Officials emphasized that "a criminal complaint is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence. A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law."
