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Tonight, a social worker from the Department of Human Services faces charges of human smuggling.  It’s a cruel irony since that’s the very same department is supposed to be the one which protects victims of human trafficking and smuggling.  

But, 35 year old Benque Viejo resident Sergio Guerra turned that on its head.  He was taken to court today along with 40 year old Edwin Arnold Naj.  They are charged with facilitating the commission of a crime by transporting persons. 

Here’s what happened.  Guerra and Naj were arrested and charged after police intercepted a Ford Escapade SUV yesterday in Crooked Tree Village. Inside the vehicle, the cops found two men and two children, all Hondurans.  

Police say Naj was at the Welcome Center in San Ignacio when he was approached by two men who offered him $500 dollars to take them to Orange Walk. Naj allegedly accepted the offer and he was transporting the men, along with two children when the police intercepted the vehicle.  Guerra told immigration officers he was just in the wrong place at the wrong time: he said he was just hitching a ride from Naj at the Hattieville bus stop.

After the arraignment this evening, we got a chance to speak briefly with their attorney, Hurl Hamilton:

Hurl Hamilton - Attorney for the Accused
"Both of them have been charged with 1 count of facilitating the commission of an offense. The police is alleging that near Crooked Tree. They had with them some Honduran nationals, and I would like to think that they were illegal. That’s what the police are alleging."

Reporter
"Tell us about the arraignment this afternoon."

Hurl Hamilton
"They arraignment took place before court #5. They pled not guilty, and the Magistrate offered each one of them bail in the sum of $3,000 plus one surety in the same amount."

Reporter
"Did the prosecutor object to bail in any kind of way?"

Hurl Hamilton
"No, the prosecution did not object to bail."

Reporter
"For your clients, have you had an opportunity to speak with them? Have they given you an explanation that you could share with us?"

Hurl Hamilton
"I have just been retained in the matter. If you notice, I hold my papers. I haven’t had a chance to even get one iota of instruction from them. So no, I can’t share anything beyond what I’ve shared with you."

Both Naj and Guerra appeared before Magistrate Emerson Banner, and they pleaded not guilty. They were released on bails of $3,000 each and their case was adjourned until September 17. Their bail was offered on the condition that they report to Benque Viejo Police Station every Friday.