The Hernando County Sheriff’s Office reports that on Feb. 22, 2025, a Hernando County Sheriff’s deputy on proactive patrol in the area of Cortez Boulevard and Cyril Drive in Ridge Manor conducted a traffic stop on the driver of a truck with an invalid license plate attached to the vehicle.
Deputy D. Cross noted the tag attached showed a seize tag notification and that the registered owner did not have a valid driver’s license. Upon making contact with the driver, Deputy Cross noted the driver, Isidoro Morales DOB/12-16-1988, advised he was a Mexican citizen and did not have a valid driver’s license.
In addition to Morales, several other individuals were located inside the truck. Upon interviewing the passengers, it was ultimately determined all of them were in the country illegally.
Deputies immediately contacted the Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) office in Tampa. HSI agents responded to the scene and took the subjects into custody.
HSI advised Isidoro was found to be an illegal re-entry into the United States and will face federal charges as he was previously deported from the United States.
The remaining subjects were placed into detention facilities where they have been processed for removal proceedings by HSI and will face an Immigration Judge who will determine if they will be removed from the United States.
Isidoro also received a criminal citation for driving a motor vehicle without a valid driver’s license.
In addition to Isidoro, those detained at the scene are as follows:
– Elias Reyes Garcia DOB/3-31-1992
– Benjamin Vazquez DOB/03-31-1971
– Carlos Nava Pajarito DOB/09-03-1995
– Samuel Garcia Juarez DOB/04-06-1990
Sheriff Al Nienhius said the HCSO always stands ready to assist our federal partners at Homeland Security Investigations.
“Any time our deputies encounter individuals who may be in the country illegally, we will work with HSI agents to determine their status and, if appropriate, have those individuals deported after they answer for any local crimes,” said Sheriff Nienhuis.
