On Monday, June 8, at approximately 5:00 PM, a Polk County DPS Trooper stopped a northbound 2006 Toyota minivan on US 59 for a speeding violation. 

 

The officer contacted and identified the driver of the vehicle as 31-year old Lucas Vicente-Cruz from Van Nuys California. Vicente-Cruz was accompanied by 9 passengers (7 men and two women.) 

 

Further investigation revealed that Vicente-Cruz was transporting the individuals from Houston to Georgia for an alleged fee of three hundred dollars.

 

Vicente-Cruz was taken into custody and transported to the Polk County Jail and charged with Smuggling of Persons (Felony 3) and No Driver License.

 

The passengers were released into the custody of Immigration and Enforcement Officers. 

 

No additional information is available at this time.