Texas trucking co. owners accused of recruiting and exploiting Mexican truck drivers in the U.S.

Police arrested the former owners of a Texas trucking company on felony trafficking charges.

On April 4, the San Antonio Police Department (SAPD) announced that Jose Velazquez, 35, and Juan Velasquez, 51, were arrested on felony charges of Continuous Trafficking of Persons.

The two men are half-brothers who owned the now bankrupt and defunct carrier VSR Transportation, according to Ken5.

An investigation was initiated into the suspects and VSR Transportation in 2023 after a victim contacted the National Trafficking Hotline.

From SAPD:

These suspects would specifically recruit immigrants from Mexico, to work as drivers for their trucking company. The suspects would then refuse to pay the employees, threatened their job and exploit their immigration status, in order for the employees to continue working. As owners, the suspects would also alter the driver logbook so the truck drivers would work more than the daily limit. Multiple victims have since come forward against the suspects.

SAPD is asking anyone else who believes that they were victims in this case to contact the SAPD Non-Emergency number at 210-207-7273, to make a police report.