Woman accused of smuggling girl through international bridge

A Laredo woman has been arrested for the smuggling attempt of a girl via International Bridge 1, according to an arrest affidavit.

Karen Yovanna Treviño, 20, was arrested and charged with transport, attempt to transport and conspire to transport an immigrant illegally present in the United States.

Treviño arrived at the pedestrian lane of the Gateway to the Americas International Bridge at about 6:37 p.m. March 18. She was accompanied by a female minor, whom Treviño claimed was her friend. The girl allegedly presented a Texas birth certificate.

“During the primary inspection, Treviño kept interrupting and answering on behalf of the minor,” states the affidavit.

Both were referred to secondary inspection. There, the girl admitted to being a citizen of Mexico who wanted to cross the border illegally, according to court documents. The girl further stated that she did not know Treviño.

“Under sworn statement, Treviño admitted that she found the document presented by the minor in Laredo, Texas and provided the birth certificate to her in order to gain entry,” states the affidavit. “Treviño further admitted that she made arrangements with (the girl’s) sister to smuggle her into the United States and transport her to Oklahoma.”