The son of U.S. Rep. Allen Boyd, a Panhandle Democrat, is facing
federal charges of smuggling illegal immigrants after being stopped by
Border Patrol agents in Arizona.

John F. Boyd, 30, admitted
picking up the passengers in the desert, authorities said. He was
stopped Sunday at a border checkpoint near Willcox and a search dog
indicated people might be hiding in the bed of the white Ford pickup he
was driving.

Agents found two people under a piece of plywood,
according to a federal complaint obtained by the Buzz, and two more adults lying on the
floorboard behind the front seat. A 6-year-old girl was in the
passenger seat.

Methamphetamine and a loaded Beretta pistol were
found, according to the complaint. It did not indicate who the items
belonged to and no drug or weapons charges have been filed against
Boyd. He has a preliminary hearing this morning in Tucson. (story here)