BREAKING: CHAMBERS COUNTY, TX— The quiet, tiny town of Mont Belvieu, just east of Houston, has been thrust under the nation’s spotlight after authorities detained ten illegal immigrants at a residence after receiving a tip about child pornography downloads coming from the home.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security described the home as a “stash house” for human smuggling.
Last week, the Chambers County Sheriff’s Office received the tip from the Internet Crimes Against Children database, a national network and task force. When authorities arrived at the scene, the responding occupant refused to open the door. The police force then forcefully entered the property.
“Once inside, ten individuals were located that are believed to be here in the U.S. illegally,” the Chambers County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement. “Homeland Security responded to the scene to assist with the investigation.
In addition, other law enforcement agencies including the local Mont Belvieu Police Department responded to the scene to aid in the arrests.
“All ten individuals were transported to the Chambers County Jail to be processed by [Homeland Security Investigations] … This is an ongoing investigation looking into possible human trafficking and/or human smuggling as well as other possible crimes,” the Chambers County Sheriff’s Office continued.
Some of the illegal immigrants were of Asian descent, and some were from Guatemala, the sheriff’s office detailed.
A spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security told Fox News Digital that the home was a “stash house for human smuggling activities.”
“On April 11, Homeland Security Investigations Houston assisted our state and local partners with a law enforcement action related to an ongoing child exploitation investigation,” the spokesperson said.
“During the course of the enforcement action and based on the individuals encountered, the structure was additionally determined to be a stash house for human smuggling activities. HSI Houston is continuing to work with our state and local partners in furtherance of this investigation.”
Following the home raid, officers who executed the warrant seized various electronic devices from the property. Currently, the material on these devices is unknown.
“Those types of downloads are illegal and are heavily monitored,” Captain Bryan Baker of the Chambers County Sheriff’s Office then told Fox 26.
This investigation is ongoing. Law enforcement officials have not yet released the homeowner’s name nor revealed what specific crimes the illegal immigrants may be charged with.
