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Immigrant smuggler gets 15-year sentence


SIGNONSANDIEGO NEWS SERVICES

6:29 p.m. August 28, 2006

SAN DIEGO – The leader of a ring responsible for smuggling more than 100 undocumented immigrants into the United States through San Diego's East County was sentenced Monday to 15 years and eight months in federal prison.

Armando Rangel-Rodriguez was convicted March 17 on 10 counts of bringing in illegal aliens for financial gain.

He was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Thomas Whelan.

According to court documents, Rangel-Rodriguez's arrest was the result of an in-depth investigation by the Border Patrol into alien smuggling in the Jacumba and Boulevard areas of San Diego County.

At least nine drivers who smuggled aliens on behalf of Rangel-Rodriguez have been arrested, prosecuted and convicted on federal charges, according to court documents.