Texas truck driver charged with smuggling 115 noncitizens in refrigerated trailer

LAREDO, Texas – A 43-year-old resident of Rosharon is set to make an appearance in Laredo federal court on allegations he attempted to smuggle dozens of undocumented non-citizens, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.

Michael Warren Mccoy is set to appear before U.S. Magistrate Judge Christopher A. Dos Santos at 1:30 p.m. today.

According to the charges, authorities encountered a tractor hauling a white refrigerated trailer on U.S. Highway 59 approximately eight miles east of Laredo. Law enforcement allegedly conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle bearing Texas license plates due to a failure to drive in a single lane.

At that time, they cut the seal on the trailer doors and discovered a total of 115 undocumented individuals, according to the charges.

The complaint alleges Mccoy expected to be paid $250 for the transport. He also had allegedly made three previous, similar trips.

If convicted, Mccoy faces up to 10 years in federal prison and a possible $250,000 maximum fine.

Homeland Security Investigations, Texas Department of Public Safety and Border Patrol are conducting the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Anthony Garrie Brown is prosecuting the case.

A criminal complaint is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence.
A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law.