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.

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