SARITA, TEXAS — An Oklahoma truck driver is facing federal human smuggling and drug charges after Border Patrol agents at a South Texas checkpoint discovered 42 people concealed in his tractor-trailer — 38 of them locked inside a sweltering trailer with no way to escape, in 92-degree heat, with only water bottles, trash, and a bucket for urination.
Juan Nasario-Reyes, 43, of Beaver, Oklahoma, was stopped at the Border Patrol checkpoint in Sarita, Texas, on May 16, 2026, while operating a white Volvo tractor-trailer. Officers noted his nervous behavior. Nasario-Reyes told agents he was alone and the truck was empty. A canine unit alerted to the sleeper berth area and the front of the trailer.
A secondary inspection revealed four undocumented immigrants concealed inside the cab’s sleeper berth and 38 more inside the trailer. The trailer had been latched shut from the outside with no means for those inside to open the doors or escape. The temperature inside the trailer was approximately 92.5 degrees. Inside, agents found water bottles, trash, a cushion, and a bucket that had been used for urination.
The 42 individuals were nationals of Mexico, El Salvador, Honduras, Guatemala, Ecuador, Peru, Colombia, Cuba, and Brazil. Thirteen face charges of illegal entry or illegal reentry. The remainder are expected to be removed from the United States.
A search of the cab also turned up approximately 16 grams of methamphetamine, a glass pipe, and a glass funnel concealed inside a headphone box.
Nasario-Reyes is scheduled for an initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jason B. Libby on May 19 at 9:40 a.m. The human smuggling charge carries a maximum penalty of five years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine. The drug charge carries a maximum of 40 years in prison.
The case was investigated by ICE Homeland Security Investigations with assistance from Border Patrol. Assistant U.S. Attorney Izaak Bruce is prosecuting the case. The case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide DOJ initiative targeting illegal immigration and transnational criminal organizations.
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