FALFURRIAS, TX- Robert Monkel, a Kansas man, was arrested Thursday at the Falfurrias Border Patrol checkpoint in Texas when U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents searching his truck discovered two dozen illegal immigrants- including at least one 4-year-old child in his 35-degree refrigerated trailer. He is now facing charges for knowingly and with reckless disregard transporting people illegally present in the United States.
As reported by myRGV, as Monkel approached the border checkpoint in his tractor-trailer, the suspect held his manifest in his hand and was reportedly reading through it rapidly- a tactic identified as common for smugglers seeking to speed through inspections. However, this was for naught when a K-9 unit conducting an open-air search around the vehicle alerted and the semi-truck was diverted for secondary inspection.
The outlet reports that when the refrigerated trailer’s plastic seal was cut and the doors swung open agents discovered 24 illegal immigrants hiding atop pallets of fruits and vegetables, noting in particular the presence of a 4-year-old boy and his mother in the frigid trailer.
In the text of the complaint, investigators said, “[One agent] documented that he observed ice on the pallets of produce and observed the reefer temperature was set at 35 degrees Fahrenheit.”
Monkel and all 24 illegal immigrants were detained, according to the Border Patrol. The suspect reportedly requested an attorney and refused to provide a statement.
Just one week prior, myRGV reported that another truck hauling a refrigerated trailer was interdicted at the checkpoint in a nearly identical incident that revealed 49 illegal immigrants being smuggled in a produce delivery, and resulted in their detention and charges against the driver Rogelio Rodriguez. However, one woman amongst the people being smuggled reported to authorities that they were instructed to stay quiet and feared for their lives.
Similar cases emerged at Falfurrias in June with 42 illegal immigrants smuggled in similar fashion and in August 2023.
A suspect in the incident told border officials that he didn’t know how many illegal immigrants were in the trailer, and wouldn’t have taken the load if he had and that he was to be paid $20,000 for smuggling them- claiming he needed the money for his family.
As reported by myRGV, as Monkel approached the border checkpoint in his tractor-trailer, the suspect held his manifest in his hand and was reportedly reading through it rapidly- a tactic identified as common for smugglers seeking to speed through inspections. However, this was for naught when a K-9 unit conducting an open-air search around the vehicle alerted and the semi-truck was diverted for secondary inspection.
The outlet reports that when the refrigerated trailer’s plastic seal was cut and the doors swung open agents discovered 24 illegal immigrants hiding atop pallets of fruits and vegetables, noting in particular the presence of a 4-year-old boy and his mother in the frigid trailer.
In the text of the complaint, investigators said, “[One agent] documented that he observed ice on the pallets of produce and observed the reefer temperature was set at 35 degrees Fahrenheit.”
Monkel and all 24 illegal immigrants were detained, according to the Border Patrol. The suspect reportedly requested an attorney and refused to provide a statement.
Just one week prior, myRGV reported that another truck hauling a refrigerated trailer was interdicted at the checkpoint in a nearly identical incident that revealed 49 illegal immigrants being smuggled in a produce delivery, and resulted in their detention and charges against the driver Rogelio Rodriguez. However, one woman amongst the people being smuggled reported to authorities that they were instructed to stay quiet and feared for their lives.
Similar cases emerged at Falfurrias in June with 42 illegal immigrants smuggled in similar fashion and in August 2023.
A suspect in the incident told border officials that he didn’t know how many illegal immigrants were in the trailer, and wouldn’t have taken the load if he had and that he was to be paid $20,000 for smuggling them- claiming he needed the money for his family.
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