Police arrest illegal immigrants
WASHINGTON TWP. – State police said three illegal immigrants from Mexico were taken into custody following a traffic stop on Interstate 79 in Washington Township, Greene County, Tuesday afternoon. Sgt. Kevin T. Kolson said troopers were conducting a traffic detail near the Ruffs Creek exit northbound on I-79 when they stopped a pickup truck for speeding.
Kolson said that the driver of the truck, Diego Flores, 32, could not produce a valid driver’s license or proof of citizenship and also appeared to be under the influence of alcohol.
Kolson said it was later discovered that Flores, along with passengers Victor Gonzalez, 28, and Valentino Ramirez-Flores, 23, were all illegal foreign nationals.
He said that Diego Flores was charged before Magisterial District Judge Lee Watson with drunken driving, public drunkenness, driving without a license, speeding and careless driving.
He was subsequently placed in the Greene County Prison on straight cash bond. He also is being held on a federal detainer, Kolson said.
A preliminary hearing for Diego Flores is set for 1:15 p.m. July 18 before Watson.
Kolson said federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers were notified and took both passengers into custody at the scene.