New Mexican man charged after being caught with 67 illegal immigrants in a box truck

Federal agents have arrested a New Mexican man in Brewster, Texas, on federal criminal charges related to human smuggling.

Javier Duarte, 22, was driving a large box truck through the Highway 118 checkpoint last week when border security agents discovered 67 people hidden in the truck, including four children aged 8-13. Three of the adults found in the truck were found to have prior aggravated felony charges to their names, including rape and possession with intent to distribute drugs.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Homeland Security agents made the arrest.

Duarte has been charged with one count of transporting illegal immigrants, and one count of aiding or assisting illegal immigrants entering the United States who have previously been convicted of aggravated felonies. The charges carry a maximum sentence of 10 years on both counts. A federal district court judge will determine the sentence.

"That unscrupulous smugglers put lives in danger to support their criminal activity is reprehensible," said Taekuk Cho, the acting special agent in charge of Homeland Security Investigations' El Paso division said. Homeland Security Investigations continues to collaborate with our law enforcement partners to prevent Transnational Criminal Organizations from putting greed and profit before human life as well as national security."