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Texas Sheriff Calls For Criminal Charges Over DeSantis’ Migrant Flights To Martha’s Vineyard

Gazette/Handout via REUTERS THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY.

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Jennie Taer Investigative Reporter
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A Texas sheriff is calling for criminal charges involving Republican Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ flights of migrants to Martha’s Vineyard, the Bexar County Sheriff’s office said in a statement Monday evening.

Bexar county sheriff Javier Salazar is recommending that the district attorney’s office pursue criminal charges after a probe into the flights alleging migrants were misled into taking them, the sheriff’s office told the Miami Herald. Republican Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who is currently seeking the GOP ticket in the 2024 presidential election, sent two planes of migrants to Martha’s Vineyard in September. (RELATED: Second Plane Carrying Migrants Arrives In Sacramento)

CEDAR RAPIDS, IOWA - MAY 13: Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks during an Iowa GOP reception on May 13, 2023 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Although he has not yet announced his candidacy, Gov. DeSantis has received the endorsement of 37 Iowa lawmakers for the Republican presidential nomination next year. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)

CEDAR RAPIDS, IOWA – MAY 13: Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks during an Iowa GOP reception on May 13, 2023 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)

“The case filed includes both felony and misdemeanor charges of Unlawful Restraint,” the sheriff’s office statement to the Miami Herald read. “At this time, the case is being reviewed by the DA’s office. Once an update is available, it will be provided to the public.”

The Martha’s Vineyard flights drew backlash from Salazar, who swiftly opened an investigation into allegations that the migrants were “lured” into taking the trips.

“The allegations that we’ve heard, it’s absolutely distasteful, it’s disgusting. It’s an abuse of human rights. But, I would like to find out sooner rather than later what charges if any are going to apply and to whom,” Salazar said at the time.

“I believe there’s some criminal activity involved, but at present, we’re trying to keep an open mind and we’re going to investigate to find out, to determine what laws were broken, if that does turn out to be the case,” Salazar added.

DeSantis’ office didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.

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