Mexican man sentenced in drop house bust
(August 19th, 2009 @ 4:14pm)
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PHOENIX - A Mexican man was sentenced Wednesday to 22 years in federal prison in connection with a human smuggling case last year in Arizona.

Prosecutors say 33-year-old Arturo Rodriguez-Rios, of Sinaloa, was convicted in April for hostage taking, harboring illegal immigrants for financial gain and a firearm violation.

Authorities say Rodriguez-Rios and others harbored and concealed a group of illegal immigrants at a home in Peoria, Ariz., and held them hostage for three days in November 2008 until the drop house was raided.

Prosecutors say Rodriguez-Rios also acted as a guard and enforcer, constantly reminding hostages of the consequences of noncompliance by brandishing a 9mm handgun and threatening their lives should their families fail to pay ransom.

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