Mexican man sentenced in Arizona human smuggling case

Mexican man sentenced in Arizona smuggling case

AP
Posted: May 15, 2012 3:32 PM CDT

TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) - A Mexican man has been sentenced to five years in federal prison in an Arizona human smuggling case.

Prosecutors say 26-year-old Berlain Galvez-Lopez was convicted Feb. 1 by a federal jury on three counts of bringing illegal immigrants into the U.S. for commercial advantage or private financial gain.

Border Patrol agents discovered several footprints while patrolling an unincorporated desert area in Pinal County last November.

After following the footprints for several miles, agents encountered four illegal immigrants. 1 of them was Galvez-Lopez, who's from Chiapas, Mexico.

During the course of the ensuing investigation, agents learned the other three immigrants had made arrangements with Galvez-Lopez to be smuggled into the country from Mexico.

Each allegedly agreed to pay between $1,800 and $2,800 once they arrived at their final destination in Colorado.

Mexican man sentenced in Arizona smuggling case - Tucson News Now