FLATONIA – The “rancher” was baled over when they were pulled over near Flatonia on Interstate 10 on May 20 by Fayette County Sgt. Randy Thumann. The truck was pulling a gooseneck trailer with about 14 round hay bales. Thumann stopped the vehicle while on patrol on Interstate 10 around 1 p.m. on a hot summer day.
Upon close inspection, Thumann found that the round hay bales had been hollowed out to create a compartment. Inside the compartment were 12 illegal aliens who were turned over to ICE. The bales had been hollowed out and reinforced with a metal frame. None of the illegal aliens baled out after being found.
Delbert Flanders, 44, of Kansas was the driver of the alien express but was not arrested at the time of the incident with what was cited as unknown medical issues and taken to a local hospital.
The Fayette County Sheriff's Office named Adanaylo Lambert, 22, and Lency Delgado Fernandez, 25, both of Houston, as the coordinators of the operation.
Both were arrested and charged with human smuggling.
Fayette County Sheriff's Office states, “This case remains under investigation by the Fayette County Sheriff's Office in coordination with federal authorities.” This case received nationwide coverage.
