Driver given ‘cell phone, $200 and a hotel room’ to transport 86 illegal immigrants

U.S Border Patrol agents discovered 86 illegal immigrants in the back of a trailer at the Interstate 35 checkpoint in Texas.

Ronald Knight, of Savannah, Tennessee, was arrested and charged with transport, attempt to transport, and conspire to transport immigrants who had crossed the border illegally.

The inspection of the trailer occured on Nov. 25 when a K-9 unit alerted to possible contraband within a blue tractor trailer pulling a white trailer.

Knight was identified as the driver and when asked what he was hauling, Knight allegedly responded “San Antonio.”

Knight was referred to secondary inspection, where agents searched the trailer and found 86 illegal immigrants.

Homeland Security special agents responded to take over the case.

Knight agreed to provide a post-arrest statement. He stated that he saw cars drive up to the trailer to load. He said he was also told to perform a head count before driving off.

According to the affidavit, “Knight opened the trailer and saw all of the (immigrants). Knight stated he was provided a cell phone, $200 and a hotel room to driver the trailer to San Antonio, Texas.”