Thursday, April 25, 2024
Coryell County Sheriff’s Office deputies interrupted a human smuggling operation and detained 12 people following a short pursuit early the morning of April 22 at Osage Road and State Highway 36.
Shortly after 3 a.m., deputies attempted to stop a 2004 Honda Pilot near Hay Valley Road for a traffic violation, according to Ron Morgan, chief deputy for the Coryell County Sheriff’s office. The vehicle failed to yield, resulting in a high-speed pursuit that ended minutes later when the Honda came to a stop near Osage Road. Twelve subjects rapidly exited the vehicle and ran on foot.
Deputies and Gatesville Police Department officers took three suspects into custody after a short foot pursuit.
A search continued throughout the morning for the nine subjects at-large, covering an area north of Gatesville.
All 12 suspects were captured and detained by 11 a.m.
Nine subjects, all of whom had illegally entered the United States from countries in South and Central America, were released to the custody of Immigration and Customs Enforcement Officials at the Coryell County Jail.
Three Guatemalan nationals, including the driver, were arrested and remained in custody at the Jail on the following charges:
The driver, Nelson Jose Ramirez Silva, 29, was charged with smuggling of persons, resisting arrest or search, evading arrest of detention with a vehicle and evading arrest or detention; and Cesar Avila Augusto Avila, 33, and Alexander Siquita, 23, were both charged with evading arrest or detention.
The three men are being held on ICE detainers as well.
