ERWIN, Tenn. (AP) -- Two Latino men being deported from Erwin were, instead, turned loose along Interstate 81.
Unicoi County Sheriff Kent Harris told the Johnson City Press that Gregorio Estala Rodriguez and Primitivo Estala Rodriguez had been picked up by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents on Tuesday and were being taken to a federal center in New Orleans.
Harris said the agents called the jail later and said superiors had told them to release the men because the center in New Orleans was temporarily closed after Hurricane Gustav blew though the city.
Harris said Gregorio Rodriguez had pleaded guilty to drug and weapons charges and Primitivo Rodriguez pleaded guilty to not having a driver's license or car insurance.
The newspaper reported it's efforts to obtain comment from ICE were unsuccessful.
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(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
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