Bexar County sheriff files criminal charges over DeSantis' migrant flight
Texas Public Radio | By Dan Katz

Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar on Monday filed criminal charges over
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis� operation to fly dozens of migrants from San
Antonio to Martha's Vineyard under false pretenses.

The flight was part of a Florida initiative to transport migrants out of
Texas and into Democrat-led communities � a project DeSantis has championed
and celebrated.

Salazar has said that DeSantis' operation lured the migrants from San
Antonio's Migrant Resource Center under false pretenses, promising them
jobs in another city.

�The Bexar County Sheriff�s Office has officially filed a completed
criminal case with the Bexar County District Attorney�s Office regarding
the incident from September 2022 where 49 migrants were flown to Martha�s
Vineyard," Salazar's office said in a statement to TPR. "The charge filed
is Unlawful Restraint and several accounts were filed, both misdemeanor and
felony."

The unlawful restraint charge would be a felony for five of the migrants
who were under the age of 17.

Salazar's office said it was not naming suspects involved in the case at
this time.

The relocations were overseen by his chief of staff, and head of public
safety.

"At this time, the case is being reviewed by the DA�s office," Salazar's
office said. "Once an update is available, it will be provided to the
public.�

DeSantis� office did not respond to TPR's requests for comment.

Meanwhile, The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) issued an
alert to all Latino refugee communities to prevent further exploitation of
vulnerable communities.

�We strongly advise individuals not to accept transportation offers from
unknown individuals promising jobs, housing, and assistance without
verifying the legitimacy of such proposals with local government
authorities,� said LULAC�s President Domingo Garcia. �It is essential to
safeguard against the trafficking of individuals for profit or political
purposes.�