September 18, 2013 10:33 PM
yumasun.com

An "Okie Town" gang member and a second American citizen were arrested Monday for attempting to smuggle two illegal immigrants through Dome Valley, a known smuggling route. Both smugglers have since pleaded guilty to the crime and have been sentenced to 90 days in jail.

Another smuggling attempt through Dome Valley was prevented last week when three illegal immigrants were found inside the vehicle of another smuggler. That man, whose name has not been released to the public, also pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 120 days in jail.

"Smuggling activity has led to a presence of the Border Patrol in the Dome Valley area," said Enrique Zarate, Supervisory Border Patrol Agent for the Yuma Sector Border Patrol Public Affairs Office.

According to the Border Patrol, agents patrolling in Dome Valley Monday conducted a traffic stop on a 2013 Nissan Altima driven by Luis Anthony Garcia.

Upon initial contact, agents learned that two people in the rear seat of the Altima, one with previous drug convictions, were inside the United States illegally.

Garcia and the front seat passenger, both Yuma area residents, were arrested on human smuggling charges. They both pled guilty to the offense and have each been sentenced to 90 days in jail. The name of the accomplice has not been released to the public.

The case of the illegal immigrant with previous drug charges was submitted to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for prosecution.

http://www.yumasun.com/articles/arre...smugglers.html