HOUSTON, Texas – A 25-year-old Houston resident has been arrested and charged after authorities say he attempted to smuggle more than three dozen people in a truck.
According to court records, on Aug. 15, Kenneth Gamboa arrived at the Border Patrol checkpoint on Farm to Market Road 1017 in Jim Hogg County in a box truck with paper plates.
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During an inspection of the vehicle, authorities said a K-9 alerted them to possible humans or narcotics in the cargo area of the vehicle. An X-ray of the vehicle showed humans standing next to each other in the storage area of the truck.
Court records show a fake wall was found in the storage area of the truck, towards the front, with a hidden compartment inside. Multiple boards were screwed shut to prevent the people from getting out on their own. Authorities had to remove the screws sealing the compartment, and they found 40 people inside behind the wall.
Authorities said 26 of the 40 people found had previously been removed from the United States. Those individuals face illegal entry charges and face up to 20 years in prison.
If convicted, Gamboa faces up to 10 years in federal prison as well as a possible $250,000 maximum fine.