By Leila Merrill
FALFURRIAS, Texas — EMTs Ricardo Garza and Christine Maria Ramirez were charged with human smuggling after attempting to transfer a Mexican citizen from a facility in Peñitas, Texas, to Alice, Texas, in an ambulance on Aug. 24.
They were stopped at a border patrol checkpoint, MyRGVnews reported.
Each EMT admitted to being paid $50 for the job, according to a criminal complaint.
It also said that Garza told agents they were transporting a patient who suffers from “seizures from lights.”
Ramirez, who was in the back of the ambulance with the man, told agents that the patient was sedated and covered in a face mask covering his eyes, nose and mouth “so no light can get through,” the complaint said.
Agents spoke with the man, who revealed that he was in the U.S. illegally.
All three were arrested.
Investigators found a handgun in the ambulance. Garza said it was his.