
Photographer Now Charged with Migrant Smuggling by Border Patrol
We all know that entering the United States illegally is a huge topic right now, not only in Texas but across the country. And there are extra eyes patrolling the border right now, but one woman and her friend seemed to be testing their luck recently and it didn’t work out like they had hoped.
Photographer and Friend Taking Photos Off the Beaten Path
According to KXAN, the incident began as photographer Chelsea Naida Ruiz and her friend Jermiah Earl Goins were in the vehicle together allegedly headed to New Mexico to take photos of the New Mexico landscape.
They were driving on New Mexico State Highway 338 which is known for smuggling.
Law Enforcement Received Warning About Suspected Migrants on That Highway
Agents rushed to the area and identified the suspect's black SUV as a possible migrant smuggling vehicle. After stopping the vehicle law enforcement found a total of six people in the SUV.

Four of the passengers were wearing camouflage, typical for trying to blend in with the desert brush.
The two American citizens were questioned about the four passengers, and they said they were just being good Samaritans by helping to give them a ride.
Search of the SUV Turned Up Illegal Items
Beyond the passengers being found in the vehicle, there were also two loaded handguns and a bag of marijuana.
One of the migrant passengers admitted to law enforcement that the group paid money and were expected to be picked up by a designated vehicle.
Goins and Ruiz will now face federal charges of conspiracy to transport illegal aliens in New Mexico.
Texas 10 Most Wanted Criminal Illegal Immigrants (December 2024)
Gallery Credit: Dan Patrick