A man from Muncie, Indiana, was taken into custody after confessing to paying for the unlawful transportation of individuals from Mexico to Indiana.
The man was arrested by the Delaware County Sheriff’s Office on several serious charges, including human trafficking, forgery, and operating while intoxicated (OWI).
On February 23, just before 10 p.m., police carried out a traffic stop on a Mazda near North Martin Luther King Boulevard and West Waid Avenue. The reason for the stop was the driver’s erratic lane changes.
The driver, a 50-year-old man, was caught driving under the influence and using a counterfeit ID during the traffic stop. Subsequent investigation revealed compelling evidence connecting the man to involvement in human trafficking.
According to reports, the man reportedly confessed to financing the unauthorized transportation of individuals from Mexico to Indiana. These individuals were then allegedly compelled to work at local restaurants in order to repay their debts, with interest.
According to the police, the man was found in possession of almost $20,000 in cash. He claimed that the money was payment he had received from the individuals he had transported.
After apprehending the suspect, law enforcement officers proceeded to escort them to IU Ball Memorial Hospital for a lawful blood draw. Following this procedure, the suspect was then transported and booked into the Delaware County Justice Center.
The police are currently in the process of obtaining a search warrant to gather more digital evidence.
The man faced initial charges of four counts of human trafficking/promotion of human trafficking, three counts of forgery, OWI with a prior conviction, OWI endangerment, and operating without a license.
“Our deputies’ commitment to safeguarding Delaware County from dangerous criminal activity is exemplified by this arrest,” stated Chief Deputy Jeff Stanley. “We recognize the severity of human trafficking as a crime and will persistently exert efforts to ensure that those responsible are held accountable.”
According to Stanley, the suspect confessed to facilitating the transportation of individuals from Mexico to Indiana for a span of 30 years. However, the precise number of people involved remains unknown.
The sheriff’s office is collaborating with federal agencies, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Department of Homeland Security, to conduct a thorough investigation into the suspect’s potential involvement in trafficking operations.
This case is still under investigation.