'Coyote' sentenced to 84 months in prison
Codie Sanchez
The Arizona Republic
Mar. 20, 2007 09:16 PM

An illegal immigrant smuggler was sentenced to 84 months in prison in Phoenix today after a woman he allegedly smuggled across the border died in the desert.

Cristino Lopez-Martinez , 21 , was found guilty of conspiracy to bring in illegal aliens , bringing aliens to the United States , and bringing aliens to the United States for profit and reentry after deportation on November 16, 2006 , according to a District Attorney press release.

Martinez and two others smuggled a group of 22 illegal immigrants, on foot, into the United States in over 100 degree temperatures, authorities said. The smugglers told the immigrants that the trip would be less than the three-day hike it turned out to be. The illegal immigrants all ran out of water and food on the last day of the hike . The lack of water left a young mother of two to die in the desert, authorities said. The woman was traveling with her husband and two young daughters when she died.

After the group had hiked over 50 miles Martinez and one other smuggler allegedly left the group, according to the District Attorney's office. A border patrol helicopter found the group of immigrants after the woman had already died . The oldest daughter of the woman was found unconscious, but after drinking water regained consciousness, authorities said.

Nearly 10 hours later Martinez and the other smuggler were found at a gas station near Yuma, Arizona . After they had purchased snacks and drinks for themselves they were asked if they left any illegal immigrants in the desert. The pair said no . Martinez was deported prior to this arrest with a felony burglary conviction.

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