PRESIDIO, Texas — A call for an airplane crash led deputies with the Presidio County Sheriff’s Office to the scene of a human smuggling attempt gone wrong Thursday, according to PCSO.
Around 3:51 p.m., deputies responded to a plane crash north of the Presidio International Airport. As they were assisting injured passengers, they discovered the crash was the result of a failed human smuggling attempt.
The pilot of the plane was attempting to smuggle several undocumented migrants by air. Investigators believe that a combination of the excess weight of six passengers in a plane designed to seat four and low fuel caused the crash.
Several other agencies assisted in search and rescue efforts that resulted in some passengers being transported to the hospital and others being taken in by U.S. Border Patrol.
The pilot fled the scene and PCSO has warrants out for his arrest for felony human smuggling, evading arrest and deadly conduct.
Tobias Penner Peters is described as having blue eyes and red hair. He is 6'2" and weighs around 185 pounds.
Peters is believed to have severe head trauma from the crash, and may have possibly lost an eye.
The sheriff's office says Peters has addresses in Seminole, but has been known to travel to and from Ojinaga, Mexico.
PCSO asks anyone with information on this situation or other illegal activity in the area, or on Peters' whereabouts to contact them at 432-729-4848 or 432-729-4911.