Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Human-trafficking charges filed (The News-Sentinel)

Human-trafficking charges filed

LAFAYETTE — Prosecutors have filed human- trafficking charges against a driver after an Indiana state trooper found 12 people in his sport utility vehicle near Lafayette.

Tippecanoe County prosecutors filed the felony charges against a 31-year-old driver from Mexico after a Sept. 3 stop on Interstate 65. Authorities say an 11-year-old girl and a 13-year-old girl were among those in the five-passenger SUV, with one child sitting on the floor under another passengers’ legs.

Police say all the passengers admitted to being in the United States illegally and that they were apparently being taken to Chicago.

County Prosecutor Pat Harrington said federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents gave the passengers dates to appear for deportation hearings.

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