Truck driver who smuggled 39 illegal immigrants in sweltering heat arrives at court after TENTH person dies – as Texas’ lieutenant governor blames the tragedy on sanctuary cities
James Mathew Bradley Jr., 60, of Clearwater, Florida, arrived in San Antonio, Texas court on Monday in handcuffs
Authorities say Bradley tried to smuggle 39 immigrant sin the back of his tractor-trailer this weekend, resulting in 10 dying
Dan Patrick, lieutenant governor of Texas, on Sunday blamed the deaths on sanctuary cities
‘Sanctuary cities entice people to believe they can come to America and Texas and live outside the law,’ Patrick wrote on Facebook about the tragedy
By ASHLEY COLLMAN
DAILYMAIL.COM
24 July 2017
A suspect arrested in connection with the deaths of ten people packed into a broiling tractor-trailer arrived at court Monday morning, to be charged for his alleged role in the immigrant-smuggling attempt gone wrong.
Federal prosecutors said they planned to bring charges against James Mathew Bradley Jr., 60, of Clearwater, Florida. They would not immediately confirm he was the driver of the rig, though local authorities said over the weekend that the driver was arrested.
Authorities discovered eight bodies inside the crowded 18-wheeler parked outside a Walmart in the summer heat, and a ninth victim died at the hospital. Officials feared the death toll could rise because nearly 20 others rescued from the truck were in dire condition, many suffering from extreme dehydration and heatstroke.
‘We’re looking at a human-trafficking crime,’ said San Antonio Police Chief William McManus, calling it ‘a horrific tragedy.’
It was not immediately known whether Bradley had an attorney who could speak on his behalf.
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