SCHALLER, Iowa (AP) — The Iowa trucking company linked to the deadly case of immigrant smuggling in Texas has a history of safety and tax violations and financial problems. Records show that Pyle Transportation Inc. failed to pay federal employment and trucking taxes for years, faced lawsuits over unpaid wages owed to drivers, and has been ordered to pay penalties for violations of federal safety rules.

The IRS and others who say the company owes them money have often found no assets to garnish. The company and its driver insist they know nothing about how dozens of immigrants became packed inside the trailer of its 18-wheeler found in the searing heat outside a San Antonio Walmart over the weekend. Ten of those passengers died and more than 15 others were hospitalized with extreme dehydration.

The driver, James Matthew Bradley Jr., faces a federal human smuggling charge that carries the possibility of the death penalty.

WASHINGTON (AP) — A coalition of 11 states has filed a legal challenge to the Trump administration’s decision to delay new chemical plant safety rules from taking effect for at least two years. The group led by New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman filed a petition for review by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. The states say Environmental Protection Agency chief Scott Pruitt exceeded his legal authority by delaying the new Accidental Release Prevention Requirements until 2019.

The Obama-era regulations are aimed at preventing explosions, fires and poisonous gas releases at more than 12,000 chemical facilities across the country.

In addition to New York, the other states joining the lawsuit are Illinois, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Mexico, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont and Washington.

The Mills County Sheriff’s Office reports three men were arrested over the past week, on warrants. Today (Monday), 36-year old Jason Lee Rankins, of Omaha, was arrested at around 7:30-a.m. at the Mills County Courthouse, for being a Fugitive from Justice. He was being held in the Mills County Jail, without bond.

On Friday, 33-year old Justin Christopher Sneed, of Council Bluffs, was arrested on a warrant for Domestic Abuse Assault. He too, was being held in the Mills County Jail without bond.

And, on Thursday of last week, 23-year old Tyler Allen Dittus, of Carson, was arrested at the Pottawattamie County Jail on a warrant for Contempt of Court. No bond was set.

Adair County Sheriff Jeff Vandewater reports two women were arrested on separate charges last week. 24-year old Samantha Martinez, of Des Moines, was taken into custody July 20th for OWI/2nd offense following a traffic stop on I-80 westbound, near Stuart. And, on July 21st, 25-year old Heather Linn Armstrong, of Stuart, was arrested on an Adair County warrant for Violation of Probation. Both women were later released by the magistrate on their own recognizance.

LEXINGTON, Neb. (AP) – A man suspected of bank robberies in five states has pleaded not guilty to unrelated charges in Nebraska. Station KNOP reports that Richard Gathercole entered the pleas Monday in Dawson County District Court to two counts of possessing stolen firearms and one of theft or receiving stolen property. A trial starting date of Aug. 12 was set.

Authorities believe Gathercole is the man they call “the AK-47 bandit,” who’s robbed banks in California, Idaho, Iowa, Nebraska and Washington. Nebraska court documents say Gathercole was arrested June 20 at a gas station near Lexington, Nebraska. A sheriff’s deputy had spotted a pickup truck there that Kansas authorities had reported stolen by a man who’d fired at but missed a state trooper.

Sheriff’s officials in Taylor County say a Missouri woman faces numerous charges following a pursuit early this (Monday) morning. Kelsey Dawn Amos, of St Joseph, Missouri, is currently charged with Felony Eluding following an incident that took place at around 2:05-a.m., when a Clarinda Police Officer tried to stop a 1998 Mitsubishi Montero, driven by Amos.

A chase ensued, with Clarinda Police pursuing the vehicle South of Clarinda on Highway 71 into Missouri. Nodaway County, Missouri Sheriff’s Deputies and Maryville, MO., Police joined in on the pursuit east bound on County Road JJ, to Hopkins. A Nodaway County Deputy was able too successfully deploy spike strips deflating the front passengers side tire out on the vehicle. From Hopkins, the vehicle went north bound on Highway 148, into Bedford. From Bedford, the pursuit went west on Highway 2 before stopping near Diamond Avenue.

Suspect vehicle with shredded tires (Taylor County S/O photo)

A search of the suspect and vehicle were conducted, with the result being the discovery of cocaine, methamphetamine and currency. A male passenger in the vehicle was transported to Clarinda Regional medical center for conditions related to illegal drug activities. An investigation into the incident continues, with additional charges against Amos and passenger likely to be filed at a later date.

Authorities from Clarinda PD, Page County Sheriff, Nodaway County Sheriff, Maryville PD, Taylor County Sheriff and Adams County Sheriff assisted in the pursuit.