Texas Man Arrested for Transporting Juveniles
Morgan County—Yesterday morning at 11:09, an Indiana State Police Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Trooper stopped a 2005 Hyundai Elantra for expired registration plate on eastbound Interstate 70 near the 55 mile marker. During conversations with the driver, the trooper noticed possible indicators of criminal activity. Further investigation revealed the three juvenile male passengers possessed no identification and did not know the driver. In turn, the driver did not know them and was believed to be driving the males from Houston, Texas to an unknown location in New York City for profit. All occupants were taken into custody with the driver incarcerated in the Morgan County Jail. The three juveniles, believed to range in ages from 12 to 16, were taken into protective custody until relatives can be located. There is no information available as to why the three were specifically being transported to New York, but human trafficking is a possibility.
Arrested: Procopio Torres, age 21, of Houston, Texas
Charges: (3) counts of Harboring and Transporting Illegal Aliens (A misdemeanor)
(1)Count of Operating Vehicle while Never Licensed (C misdemeanor)
Assisting was the federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency.
No pictures.
Under the Law, criminal charges are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
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SGT. JOE WATTS
