Texas woman charged with holding 17 immigrants hostage in home

AMARILLO, Texas (KAMR/KCIT) – A Texas lady has been accused of holding 17 undocumented immigrants hostage in her residence.

Manuela Magdalena Jimon Castro, 30, of Friona, was charged in Amarillo Federal Courtroom with “alien harboring,” in keeping with the U.S. Legal professional’s Workplace for the Northern District of Texas.

Castro, together with a member of the family, allegedly partnered with an unlawful immigrant smuggling operation to carry “undocumented people hostage at their residence,” in keeping with the Legal professional’s Workplace.

The Legal professional’s Workplace additionally mentioned whereas Castro and the member of the family held the hostages, they threatened to “deprive them of meals and water” and refused “to permit them to depart till they paid $11,000 to $12,000 or ‘labored off’ the debt.”

Officers have been tipped off after California legislation enforcement obtained a tip from a lady who alleged that her sister was “being held for ransom in Texas.” Different legislation enforcement officers then spoke with one other one who claimed they have been beforehand detained within the residence, in keeping with the Legal professional’s Workplace.

In a search of Castro’s home, officers mentioned they found 17 undocumented immigrants, together with two minors.

In accordance with the Legal professional’s Workplace, the people allegedly admitted that that they had entered the county “illegally with smugglers” and mentioned they believed they needed to keep on the residence in Friona till they paid their “entrance charges.”

The discharge mentioned that if Castro is convicted, she faces as much as 5 years in federal jail.