Local man pleads guilty to smuggling immigrants
The Bakersfield Californian | Tuesday, Mar 4 2008 3:58 PM
Last Updated: Tuesday, Mar 4 2008 4:01 PM

A man from Bakersfield was found guilty in Arizona federal court for smuggling illegal immigrants.

Kenneth George Claunch Jr., 55, tried to enter the United States from Mexico on April 4, 2007, by driving a carpet cleaning van that carried eight illegal immigrants hiding in water containers, according to a release by the Office of the United States Attorney for the District of Arizona. Inspectors stopped the vehicle after Claunch gave inconsistent statements.

Three of the illegal immigrants testified in court against Claunch and said they had trouble breathing while hiding in the containers, the release said. The passengers said they had to pay between $2,900 to $3,000 to be transported into the United States, according to the release.

On Feb. 29, Claunch was found guilty of conspiracy to transport illegal aliens with endangerment, three counts of attempted transportation of illegal aliens for profit and three counts of attempted bringing in illegal aliens for profit, according to the release.

Claunch is scheduled to be sentenced on May 14.

http://www.bakersfield.com/102/story/380744.html