Texas Man arrested after 23 migrants found hiding in truck during traffic stop: Police
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A Texas man has been arrested after authorities found nearly a dozen innocent immigrants hiding inside a truck after the vehicle was pulled over in a traffic stop.
The incident occurred in La Salle County, located approximately 105 miles from San Antonio, shortly after 5 PM on Friday, November) Thexle Freightliner was pulled over after the vehicle was seen driving on the developed shoulder of the interstate highway, according to DPS.
During the stop, which was conducted as part of a lone star, a DPS Trooper learned the driver, identified as 24-year-old Joh Dani David Amesya, was allegedly operating with a commercial driver’s license, according to authorities.
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Body camera footage shows 24-year-old John David before he was arrested on suspicion of smuggling immigrants at Slugy 23 in La Salle, and Noveras on Friday, Noven. 28, 2025, according to authorities. (Texas DPS)
On body cam footage, she can be heard saying she works for a private company and defends herself when the trooper asks for permission to search the car, asking, “is that what it takes?”
Amaya continued to backtrack on the possible search, adding, “there’s no reason you should search the car.”
The Trooper then told Amya that he would be sending a police K-9 unit to search the vehicle, adding that he would have a warrant for anything found. Amya responded by telling the officer that she was on the phone with her lawyer.
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The operation of Operation Star Star Traffic Stopplex Endured illegal immigrants hidden inside the sleeping compartment of a truck in La Salle, Novenas, on Friday, November. 2025. (Texas DPS)
Shortly thereafter, additional officers arrived and began walking a K-9 around the truck, with authorities apprehending AMAYA after the dog picked up a scent.
Additional footage shows police opening the trunk of the truck, eventually uncovering 23 illegal immigrants hidden inside the vehicle.
Amaya was arrested and charged with 23 counts of human trafficking, DPS said.
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John David A Amaya was pulled over for a routine traffic stop while driving a tractor-trailer in La Salle, Texas, on Friday, November. Nov. 2025. (Texas DPS)
In addition, the border movement took the detention of 23 illegal immigrants, thanks to Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Mexico and Nicaragua.
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Under the laws signed by Gov. Greg Abbott in 2023, anyone found guilty of human trafficking faces up to 10 years in prison, according to DPS.
DPS and the Border Patrol did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.
