Coyote Caught With Human Cargo

(CN) – A South Carolina trucker caught with 15 undocumented immigrants in his trailer at a South Texas checkpoint was convicted of human smuggling.
     A federal jury on Tuesday convicted Henry Gill, 44, of four counts of transporting illegal immigrants, after a two-day trial.
     “At trial, the jury heard that on Jan. 7, 2014, federal agents observed three vehicles deliver 15 illegal aliens at the J.E.F./Killam Road intersection in Laredo. The aliens entered Gill’s tractor-trailer and were transported north through the IH-35 BP Checkpoint,” the U.S. Attorney’s Office said in a statement.
     “Agents detained Gill’s vehicle at the checkpoint, at which time the illegal aliens were discovered. Gill was searched and agents discovered a cell phone with incriminating text messages discussing payment of $10,000 for transporting illegal aliens.”
     The I-35 Border Patrol checkpoint is 29 miles north of Laredo.
     Gill’s text messages led investigators to eight more undocumented people in a stash house, prosecutors said.
     Gill’s sentencing date has not yet been set.