Man arrested on alien smuggling charges

A 38-year-old U.S. citizen remains in federal custody following his arrest on alien smuggling charges.

Federal authorities allege Charles Frank Battles, address unknown, knowingly transported several individuals known to be undocumented immigrants into the United States.

Battles appeared Monday before U.S. Magistrate Ronald G. Morgan on the charges. At his initial appearance Battles requested he be given a court appointed attorney.

Battles was ordered detained without bond and has another scheduled court appearance for Thursday.

According to a federal complaint, U.S. Border Patrol agents received information July 30, from a concerned citizen of possible undocumented immigrants being picked up a red van in the area of Dakota Avenue on the city’s eastside.

Authorities report this area is known for alien and drug smuggling so the agents were on the lookout for the van.

The complaint states the agents spotted a red Ford Econoline Van in the area. The agents followed the van and noticed the driver swerving and "kept turning around and talking to someone in the back."

As the vehicle went over a speed bump "it appeared to be heavily weighed down," the complaint states.

The agents stopped the van and interviewed Battles and the other individuals inside the vehicle.

Authorities reported the individuals in the van spoke only Spanish and that their clothes and shoes appeared to be muddied.

In a brief interview, the agents determined the individuals in the van had entered the country illegally, the complaint states.

The complaint also states that Battles knew the individuals were undocumented immigrants and that he was transporting them for financial gain.

It was unknown how much money Battles was being paid to smuggle the undocumented immigrants. No other information was immediately available.