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Teen to Face Smuggling Charges
Posted: Jan 29, 2013 4:30 PM
Updated: Jan 29, 2013 11:58 PM
EDINBURG - Prosecutors will pursue smuggling charges against a teenager implicated in a deadly chase last year in Hidalgo County.
Officials said the 15-year-old was driving a truck loaded with illegal immigrants in October when he fled from authorities. A Texas Department of Public Safety trooper opened fire on the truck from a helicopter north of La Joya. Two immigrants died in the incident.
Authorities detained the 15-year-old after the incident, but juvenile detention center officials later released him.
The teen eluded authorities for more than a month before McAllen police picked him up on automobile theft charges more than a month later.
The teen faces nine counts of human smuggling, one count of theft and one count of evading arrest.
He is expected back in court in February.
