Truck driver admits hauling illegal aliens instead of carrots

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – A 61-year-old Houston man has pleaded guilty to transporting illegal aliens. Rodney William Gipson admitted that, despite nearly 30 years as a commercial truck driver, he knew or recklessly disregarded the fact he was illegally transporting two dozen illegal aliens in his truck. On Feb. 19, Gipson drove a tractor-trailer to the Falfurrias Border Patrol checkpoint. He claimed he was transporting a load from the Rio Grande Valley to Houston, but a K-9 soon alerted to the rear of the trailer. At secondary inspection, law enforcement discovered 24 illegal aliens hidden inside the vehicle. They also found a cargo document showing the truck was supposed to be hauling a load of carrots. Gipson faces up to five years in federal prison and a possible $250,000 maximum fine.