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West Texans Help Oklahoma Victims
Man Accused in Texas Smuggling by Plane Attempt 7/19/12
Associated Press
July 19, 2012
McALLEN, Texas (AP) - A Mexican man has been accused of trying to smuggle five suspected illegal immigrants to San Antonio via charter airplane.
Prosecutors in South Texas say 39-year-old Jorge Luis Gallegos-Avila remains in custody without bond on charges of harboring and transporting illegal immigrants. He appeared Wednesday before a federal judge in McAllen.
Gallegos-Avila, who also faces a conspiracy charge, was arrested June 20 near McAllen-Miller International Airport. Investigators say he was spotted dropping off five immigrants. The individuals were detained while trying to board the charter plane.
Prosecutors say Gallegos-Avila allegedly picked up the immigrants from along the Rio Grande and took them to stash houses.
Gallegos-Avila faces trial in September. His hometown in Mexico was not immediately released.