Georgia man pleads guilty to smuggling 117 from Laredo in trailer

LAREDO, TX -- A 42-year-old resident of Covington, Georgia, has pleaded guilty in Laredo federal court to conspiracy to transport undocumented aliens, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.

Jonathan Kyle Price admitted he had agreed to smuggle 117 aliens past a Border Patrol (BP) checkpoint.

On Feb. 19, Price arrived at the BP checkpoint on Interstate Highway 35 approximately 29 miles north of Laredo in a tractor-trailer. However, he drove away before his immigration inspection was complete. Law enforcement pursued and quickly stopped him

A service K-9 then detected an odor within the trailer. Authorities conducted a thorough inspection and found 117 undocumented aliens.

U.S. District Judge Marina Garcia Marmolejo will impose sentencing Oct. 25. At that time, Price faces up to 10 years in prison. He was permitted to remain on bond pending that hearing.

Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation with the assistance of BP. Assistant U.S. Attorney David Fawcett is prosecuting the case.