EL PASO, Texas (KFOX14/CBS4) — Federal agents investigating a failed smuggling attempt at a southern New Mexico checkpoint say they uncovered a stash house in El Paso where 16 undocumented people were being held, leading to charges against a 37-year-old man.
According to court records, Homeland Security Investigations and U.S. Border Patrol agents responded Feb. 13 to a failed alien smuggling attempt involving a tractor-trailer carrying 19 undocumented individuals at the Las Cruces Border Patrol Checkpoint on Interstate 25.
Interviews and investigative findings led agents to a suspected stash house at a residence in El Paso, Texas.
Agents executed a search warrant at the residence on Feb. 26 and encountered about 16 undocumented individuals inside, court records state.
All said they were not U.S. citizens and did not have lawful immigration documents. The individuals were taken to the El Paso Border Patrol Station for processing.
In subsequent interviews, two material witnesses identified Crescencio Pacheco Olvera, 37, as the caretaker of the stash house and as a transport driver involved in the alleged smuggling operation, according to court records.
One witness said that after illegally entering the United States through a hole cut in the international border fence near Santa Teresa, New Mexico, they were transported to the El Paso residence by Pacheco Olvera.
Pacheco Olvera is charged with conspiracy to harbor, transport and bring in undocumented individuals. He will remain in custody pending trial, which has not been scheduled.
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