Bond Hearing Delayed for Alleged Smuggler
A woman accused of heading an immigrant-smuggling operation that led to the deaths of 19 people in Texas last month will not be able to argue for bond until next week, a judge ruled.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Calvin Botley ordered Karla Patricia Chavez Joya, 25, held for another week after one of her newly appointed lawyers asked for more time to prepare a defense.
Chavez was charged in a 58-count indictment against her and 13 others.
The Mexicans and Central Americans died from suffocation and heat exhaustion while in a sealed truck that drove from South Texas toward Houston.
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