A van that left Michigan headed toward Georgia was stopped in Putnam County, Tennessee, and deputies quickly uncovered a packed vehicle full of illegal immigrants, drugs and unsafe conditions for two small children.
Deputies stopped a white Ford Econoline van on Friday, November 14, uncovering an overcrowded vehicle traveling from Michigan to Georgia with 18 total occupants, marijuana, and cash inside.
Deputies conducted the stop just before 11 a.m. on Highway 111 at Spring Creek Road. When they made contact with the driver, identified as Ruben Dario Escobar, he told deputies there were only six passengers in the vehicle and that they were traveling from Michigan for work. Escobar also admitted there was marijuana in the van, giving deputies grounds to conduct a full search.
What Deputies Discovered Inside
When deputies opened the van’s side-loading door, they found 18 people crammed into a 15-passenger vehicle:
- 16 adults
- 2 toddlers, ages 3 and 4
The children were not secured in car seats, and their mother told deputies the toddlers had not had much food during the interstate trip. Deputies described the interior conditions as unsuitable for children, with marijuana present inside the van.
A search uncovered:
- Approximately 4.2 pounds of marijuana
- Approximately $8,350 in cash
The two toddlers were taken into custody by the Tennessee Department of Children’s Services.
Charges and Bond Amounts
Felony Possession of Schedule VI + Child Endangerment ($30,000 bond each)
These three individuals admitted the marijuana was theirs:
- Ruben Dario Escobar
- Israel Morales-Lopez
- Cajuste Rosenel
Child Endangerment Charges ($20,000 bond each)
The remaining 13 adults were charged due to the unsafe conditions involving the children:
- Van Rotschild
- Fernado Sanchez-Gomez
- Miguel Jacinto-Maldonado
- Rose Jeanty
- Ferly Nestor
- Hector Hernandez-Serrano
- Jesus Lopez-Nolasco
- Daniel Renex
- Noel Adner
- Samuel Lopez-Jimenez
- Cidonne Jacquesimon
- Julienne Recia
- Loyda Aguilar-Perez
Immigration Status
Out of the 16 adults arrested:
- 15 were found to be unlawfully in the United States
They will be placed in ICE custody after their court cases conclude.
Investigation Continues
The sheriff’s office confirmed the case remains active. Additional details will be released as investigators review how the group traveled from Michigan, who organized the transport, and the origin of the marijuana seized from the van.
