Source:
Associated PressSoldiers Suspected of Alien Smuggling3 National Guardsmen on Texas-Mexico Border Accused
of Running Smuggling RingThe Associated Press
LAREDO, Texas Jun 11, 2007 (AP)
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.
-snip-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.
-snip-Read more:
http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory?id=3266383