Honduran National Charged with Human Smuggling After Traffic Stop

BROOKSVILLE – The Florida Highway Patrol is reporting the arrests of a Honduran National, after officials say he attempted to smuggle several illegal immigrants into Florida.

According to reports, Trooper W. Kelly conducted a traffic stop on a white Chevy van that was traveling at a high rate of speed on I-75 near SR-50.

Trooper Kelly made contact with the driver, 37-year-old Eldin Ariel Trejo and noticed five passengers inside the van. Trejo did not possess a valid driver's license, but he was able to provide a Honduran passport as identification. Trejo was detained and placed in the patrol car.

Several troopers arrived on scene, as well as agents with U.S. Border Patrol to assist with the investigation.

Border Patrol agents determined that all six occupants, including the driver, entered the United States illegally. It was also determined that Trejo has been previously deported on two separate occasions.

Occupants Mauricio Rivera Reyes of Nicaragua had an order for deportation and Alejandro Olintla Cobix, and Elver Horacio Merida Hidalgo of Guatemala had previous encounters with Border Patrol and given court dates. Occupants Eugenio Nicanor Lopez Ramos of Guatemala and Antonio De Jesus Raudales Jimenez of Mexico entered the United States illegally and have had no prior contact with Border Patrol.

Trejo claimed a "company" hired him to transport the individuals from Atlanta, Georgia to work in Florida, but Trejo could not remember the company name that hired him or where he was transporting them to.

Trejo was booked into the Hernando County Jail and charged with three counts of Human Smuggling. Trejo is currently held without bond.