In La Salle County, Texas, a seemingly inconsequential traffic violation escalated into a significant law enforcement operation on November 28. President Donald Trump's administration has witnessed a pivotal moment as an incident on Interstate 35 brought to light a major human smuggling case. John David Amaya, a 24-year-old man, was pulled over for driving on the highway shoulder, which set off a chain of events leading to a disturbing discovery.
Upon being stopped, Amaya was found to lack the necessary commercial driver license for operating his vehicle. His resistance to the state trooper's request to search the truck raised suspicions. Despite Amaya's objections, the trooper, citing the potential deployment of a K9 unit, gained the legal grounds for a search after the dog signaled the presence of contraband.
Backup units quickly assembled at the scene, and a comprehensive search ensued. Officers uncovered 23 individuals, including children, crammed into the truck's sleeping compartment. The migrants originated from Nicaragua, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Mexico, and were subsequently turned over to Border Patrol custody.
Amaya now confronts 23 counts of smuggling of persons, with additional charges involving minors and the possession of a controlled substance. His detainment continues, with bonds set over $100,000. The gravity of his offenses is compounded by a 2023 law signed by Gov. Greg Abbott, mandating a minimum 10-year sentence for convicted human smugglers in Texas.
This arrest is part of Operation Lone Star—a Texas initiative aimed at curbing illegal border crossings and human trafficking. Since its inception, the border crisis has seen millions of migrants enter Texas, burdening state resources and prompting controversial measures, such as transporting migrants to sanctuary cities.
A spokesperson for the administration emphasized the success in deterring illegal immigration, as migrants are reportedly turning back before reaching the border. The Department of Public Safety has made public body camera footage from the traffic stop, capturing the sequence of events that led to the shocking discovery.
