Out of state trucker arrested in failed human smuggling attempt of 42 in hot, locked trailer

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas - A 43-year-old Beaver, Oklahoma, resident has been charged with smuggling numerous illegal aliens as well as possession with intent to distribute meth, announced Acting U.S. Attorney John G.E. Marck.

Juan Nasario-Reyes is set to make his initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jason B. Libby May 19 at 9:40 a.m.

On May 16, Nasario-Reyes allegedly drove a white Volvo tractor-trailer to the Border Patrol checkpoint in Sarita where authorities noticed his nervous behavior. According to the complaint, he claimed his vehicle was empty and he was alone, but a K-9 alerted to the sleeper portion of the tractor and the front of the trailer.

At secondary inspection, law enforcement discovered four illegal aliens concealed inside the cab area and 38 more inside the trailer, according to the complaint.

The charges further allege the trailer had been latched shut from the outside with no means for the individuals inside to open the doors or escape.

A subsequent search allegedly revealed water bottles, trash, a cushion and a bucket for urination inside the trailer. According to the complaint, the temperature inside the trailer was approximately 92.5 degrees.

The illegal aliens are from the countries of Mexico, El Salvador, Honduras, Guatemala, Ecuador, Peru, Columbia, Cuba and Brazil, according to the charges.

Authorities also allegedly located approximately 16 grams of meth, a glass pipe and glass funnel inside a headphone box in the cab area.

If convicted of the human smuggling offenses, Nasario-Reyes faces up to five years in federal prison as well as a $250,000 maximum fine, while the drug charges carry a maximum of 40 years.

A total of 13 of the illegal aliens are facing either illegal entry or reentry charges, while the remaining are expected to be immediately removed from the country.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation with the assistance of Border Patrol. Assistant U.S. Attorney Izaak Bruce is prosecuting the case.

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.

A criminal complaint is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence. A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law.