Texas Woman Arrested for Allegedly Smuggling 14-Yr-Old Boy into U.S.

A woman from Dallas, Texas, is in federal custody after customs officers caught her allegedly smuggling a 14-year-old boy into the U.S. using illegal documents.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers arrested 27-year-old Joanna Gamez-Aguillon on charges of human smuggling. Officials said the woman attempted to bring the 14-year-old boy across the Hidalgo-Reynosa International Bridge last week, CBS DFW reported.

Officials said Gamez-Aguillon confessed that she knew she did not have the legal authority to bring the teen into the U.S. She also allegedly stated that the boy’s mother bought an illegal birth certificate for $750 and paid her $4,250 to bring him across the border.

The Dallas CBS affiliate reports that the woman used her five U.S.-born children as camouflage when she attempted the border crossing.

CBP officers said they became suspicious when the teen appeared to be nervous and was unable to answer general questions.

No information was provided as to the nationality of the teen or if his mother has been arrested for her alleged role.