BWC: Texas trooper finds 16 migrants behind false wall in trailer during traffic stop

By Joanna Putman
Police1

KENNEDY COUNTY, Texas — A Houston man faces felony charges of human smuggling after Texas Department of Public Safety troopers discovered 16 migrants hidden behind a false wall in a trailer, Click2Houston reported.

Trending

Vehicle Incidents and Issues

Waymo self-driving car interrupts Harris’ motorcade in San Francisco

The robotaxi failed to make a U-turn, stopping the vice president’s motorcade; San Francisco police officers who were in the area quickly intervened

October 05, 2024 07:00 AM

Officer Down

Widow of fallen NYPD officer announces launch of scholarship fund in his honor

The Detective Jonathan Diller Scholarship Fund will honor the Long Island native and support students who demonstrate strong leadership skills

October 05, 2024 06:00 AM

Command Staff - Chiefs / Sheriffs

Former county sheriff appointed to lead LAPD

McDonnell was elected LA County Sheriff in 2014; before that, he spent 29 years in the LAPD and served as Long Beach’s police chief for almost five years

October 04, 2024 12:59 PM

Disaster Response

Family of man saved by Tenn. officer launches GoFundMe to rebuild his home destroyed by Helene

Unicoi Deputy Jonathan Williams performed CPR on the man for 44 minutes, resuscitating him; the man’s sister is running the fundraiser to help Williams recover from the destruction

October 04, 2024 12:17 PM

The incident occurred on Sept. 16 when a DPS trooper conducted a traffic stop on a Ford F-250 towing a cargo trailer. According to DPS, the driver consented to a search of the trailer.

Troopers found a false wall in the trailer and, after using drills to remove it, discovered 16 people “crammed inside a small compartment with no air ventilation,” according to the report. DPS reported that the individuals were in the country illegally.

The department released body camera video of the incident, showing the trooper ushering the migrants out of the trailer.

The driver was arrested and charged with 16 counts of smuggling of persons with the likelihood of substantial bodily injury or death. The migrants were referred to U.S. Customs and Border Protection for further processing, according to the report.