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Phoenix woman sentenced for theft in immigrant smuggling incident

SIERRA VISTA, Ariz. -- A 19-year-old Phoenix woman arrested while driving a stolen SUV crammed with illegal immigrants has been sentenced to 2 1/2 years in state prison.


Liliana Lopez pleaded with a judge in Bisbee to be placed on probation for the arrest, as allowed under a plea deal she signed with prosecutors last month in which she admitted to auto theft.

But Judge Tom Collins rejected that route Friday, citing the value of the stolen auto, her transportation of illegal immigrants and admission to belonging to a gang.

Lopez was arrested by Department of Public Safety officers on Sept. 24, 2005, after being spotted driving a Dodge Durango with expired Sonora plates near Douglas.

The officer found nine illegal immigrants in the SUV, which had its ignition punched out and had been stolen from a Phoenix rental car firm. After being arrested, officers found a methamphetamine pipe and meth in her bra.

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Information from: Sierra Vista Herald, http://www.svherald.com

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