Feb. 22
February 5, 2007
Bernice Hughes
February 7, 2007
What began as a simple traffic stop Monday night quickly escalated when Houma Police learned the driver was in the country illegally, a department spokesman said.
Lt. Todd Duplantis said officers patrolling the Grand Caillou Road in East Houma stopped a Hyundai Excel. The vehicle had a burnt tail lamp on the passenger side, he said.
The driver initially gave police a false name, but was later identified as William R. Santizo, 27, of 243 Richmond St., Houma. Officers discovered Santizo was in the U.S. illegally and that he was driving without a license, Duplantis said.
Santizo was charged with resisting an officer by giving false information, operating a vehicle without proper tail lamps, no driver’s license and operating a vehicle without lawful presence in the U.S.
According to state law, the penalty for operating a vehicle without a lawful presence in the country requires police to immediately notify the INS of the person’s name and location. If convicted, Santizo could be fined $1,000 and imprisoned for one year, Duplantis said.
