Lawyers for four suspects involved in an alleged stolen clothing case claim their clients are victims of racial profiling.
"Anybody in the business would know this is a profiling case," said Atty. Gary Rich. "I believe without a doubt. Illegal aliens, or drugs in the car, no drugs found and my clients legal."
Rich's client, Jesus Fabian, was the only one of the four to be released on bond. The other three remain jailed on an Immigration and Naturalization Services hold.
Last week, the Ohio State Highway Patrol stopped the vehicle and seized nearly $78,000 worth of stolen clothes, including more than $8,000 worth of panties and bras.
Three of the four were in Niles Municipal Court on Friday facing theft charges.
The fourth, Maria Fiorenttini, did not appear. She's been moved to a different facility by federal immigration officials.
Now all four of the defendants are due back in Niles Municipal Court next month for a preliminary hearing. At that time, they can go forward with the hearing, or waive it. If they waive the hearing, the case will be sent to the Trumbull County grand jury.
The defendants told troopers they were taking the merchandise to a church, but officers were unable to confirm that story.
The prosecutor said he does not believe any racial profiling was used and said the traffic stop was the result of good police work.
"The only information I have comes from the officers and from my perspective I have Highway Patrol officers who simply did their job and did it well. I haven't seen any evidence of profiling and I don't think that is the case here. It was a traffic stop that led to the discovery of massive amounts of stolen clothing," said Terry Swauger, Niles City Prosecutor.
