Read more: Local, Crime, Anthony Rodriguez, Andy Rodriguez, Beatriz Manzano Luna, U.S. Coast Guard, Border Patrol, South Padre Island, Isla Blanca Park, Boca Chica Beach, Brownsville, Cameron County, Rio Grande Valley, Texas, Mexico
Three accused human smugglers faced a judge after they allegedly used Jet Skis to ferry seven illegal immigrants to the South Padre Island jetties.
U.S. Border Patrol agents arrested Anthony Rodriguez, Andy Rodriguez and Beatriz Manzano-Luna on immigrant smuggling charges over the weekend.
A criminal complaint reveals that U.S. Coast Guard officials first spotted two Jet Skis being used to smuggle immigrants across the Rio Grande on Friday afternoon
Regional Border Patrol Spokesman John Lopez said the immigrants were ferried from the mouth of the Rio Grande to the jetties at Isla Blaca Park on South Padre Island to avoid a checkpoint near Boca Chica Beach.
Lopez said South Padre Island police were able to intercept the seven immigrants in a van.
South Padre Island town spokesman Gary Ainsworth said police learned about the incident through a call from a concerned citizen.
Ainsworth said the immigrants were turned over to the custody of Border Patrol officials.
The criminal complaint shows that the three alleged smugglers allegedly went back on the jet skis to nearby bay.
Court records show that Manzano-Luna was arrested loading a Jet Ski onto an SUV trailer but the two other cars had left the area by the time agents arrived.
Border Patrol agents arrested Anthony an Andy Rodriguez after stopping a Jeep Cherokee hauling a Jet Ski and a Pontiac Grand Am at the Highway 4 checkpoint.
The three accused smugglers and three material witnesses appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Ronald Morgan on Monday morning.
Judge Morgan gave bonds to Anthony Rodriguez, Manzano-Luna and to one of the three material witnesses but denied bond for Andy Rodriguez until a Thursday afternoon hearing.
