Houston man pleads guilty in human smuggling case

Mar 20, 2007

MOBILE, Ala. A Texas man pleaded guilty to smuggling undocumented workers through Alabama. In a plea deal announced Monday in Mobile federal court, 32-year-old Santiago Ramirez-Godoy of Houston admitted he unlawfully transported illegal aliens.

The charges stem from a traffic stop made by U-S Customs agents on January 23rd on Interstate 10 in Mobile County. Agents said the van contained 16 passengers in addition to Ramirez-Godoy and 47-year-old Luciano Alvarez-Meraz.

All the passengers were turned over sent to immigration officers.

Alvarez-Meraz, also of Houston, pleaded not guilty and awaits trial.

Ramirez-Godoy told agents he knew the passengers were illegal aliens but said he needed the money. U-S District Judge Ginny Grenade set sentencing for June. A defense lawyer said Ramirez-Godoy faces up to 15 months in prison.

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