The Associated Press

PHOENIX - A sergeant stationed at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base made his initial court appearance yesterday on charges that he smuggled illegal immigrants into the country, the office of the U.S. Attorney for Arizona said.

Staff Sgt. Claude Melvin Jones Jr., 41, made his appearance at a federal court in Tucson, a day after Border Patrol agents arrested him.

He is accused of picking up five illegal immigrants in his car near the town of Arivaca, the U.S. Attorney's Office said. Jones was scheduled for a detention hearing tomorrow.