Border Patrol finds 36 people hidden behind false wall at Falfurrias checkpoint

A truck driver was arrested at the Border Patrol checkpoint in Falfurrias after agents discovered a false wall inside the trailer he was hauling where 36 people were hidden, according to a criminal complaint.

Louis Dante Anthony, a U.S. citizen, was charged with knowingly and with reckless disregard of attempting to transport people illegally present in the country further into the U.S.

At about 7:25 a.m. on Sunday, agents at the Falfurrias checkpoint encountered Anthony who was driving a white single-cab box truck.

According to the complaint, Anthony was exhibiting suspicious behavior by refusing to lower his window fully and speaking in a manner that made it difficult for agents to hear him clearly over the truck’s engine.

“Anthony also displayed signs of nervousness, including fidgeting with his hands and avoiding eye contact,” the complaint said.

When asked where he was coming from, Anthony stated that he was coming from “Edington” and added that he was hauling furniture.

Anthony consented to an X-ray inspection which revealed several anomalies in the cargo area, prompting further inspection.

“Upon moving the furniture, a false wall was discovered inside the truck, sealing a compartment measuring approximately 51 inches by 97 inches,” the complaint said. “The compartment was sealed with screws from the outside, leaving no means of escape for those inside.”

The complaint goes on to state that the compartment inside was “extremely hot” with 36 people inside who were “sweating profusely.” They admitted to being illegally present in the country.

Two large household appliances were also blocking the exit, according to the document.

In an interview with authorities, Anthony stated he arrived in “Edington” around 7 p.m. on Saturday, slept in his truck overnight and claimed the purpose of his trip was to pick up furniture for upholstery services from a woman whose name he couldn’t provide.

“When asked about the people found inside the truck, Anthony initially claimed he did not know how they ended up there,” the complaint said. “He later changed his story, admitting that he picked them up from a Home Depot store, opened the back of the back of the truck to let them in, and then closed the door.”

Anthony also confessed to knowing about the false wall and concealing the people behind it.

Additionally, Anthony admitted to using a computer in order to create fraudulent temporary Texas license plates, according to the complaint.

Several of the people found concealed behind the false wall stated they feared for their life when behind the wall due to it being sealed.

Anthony made his initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mitchel Neurock in Corpus Christi federal court Tuesday morning.

The post Border Patrol finds 36 people hidden behind false wall at Falfurrias checkpoint appeared first on MyRGV.com.