WASHINGTON COUNTY, Utah – Washington County officials arrested a man who now faces federal charges after he allegedly smuggled an SUV full of people into the United States.
Police arrested Jose Dimas Sanchez-Patino in the incident. They say the vehicle contained 12 people, all of whom were in the U.S. illegally.
The car was reportedly equipped with an aftermarket air suspension system to make it look like it wasn’t overloaded.
The occupants told federal agents they paid between $2,000 and 5,000 to be smuggled across the border. Patino told officers he knew they were in the country illegally.
Now Patino faces charges of transporting illegal aliens and aiding and abetting.
