Thomas Taylor Charlton, Transportation of Undocumented Alien, Texas 2022

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Defendant Locks 70 in Trailer, Gets 51 Months

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – In a shocking case of human trafficking, a 60-year-old Mission resident has been ordered to federal prison following his conviction for transportation of an undocumented alien. U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani announced the sentencing of Thomas Taylor Charlton, who pleaded guilty on May 2.

According to the investigation, Charlton arrived at the Javier Vega Jr. Border Patrol checkpoint on July 10, 2022, claiming he was hauling chili peppers. However, a K-9 alerted to the trailer, and law enforcement had to use bolt cutters to remove the lock and gain access to the trailer. Inside, they found 70 people locked in with only hatchets to exit.

During the investigation, authorities discovered additional evidence regarding the incident, which included a handheld walkie talkie in the trailer and cab of the tractor on the same frequency, allowing communication between the tractor and trailer. The key to the trailer was found in the cab. Charlton will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.

Homeland Security Investigations and Border Patrol conducted the investigation, with Assistant U.S. Attorneys Liesel Roscher and Patrick Overman prosecuting the case. U.S. District Judge David S. Morales ordered Charlton to serve 51 months in federal prison, to be immediately followed by three years of supervised release. Prior to imposing the sentence, Judge Morales heard additional evidence regarding Charlton’s history, which includes a conviction for aggravated battery.

The harsh sentence reflects the severity of the crime, which put the lives of 70 people at risk. Charlton’s actions demonstrate a callous disregard for human life and the law. The victims, who were locked in a trailer with no means of escape, were put in a desperate situation by Charlton’s actions.

The case serves as a reminder of the dangers of human trafficking and the importance of holding perpetrators accountable for their crimes. As the community continues to grapple with the issue of human trafficking, it is crucial that we remain vigilant and work together to prevent such incidents from occurring in the future.