Illegal Immigrant Smuggler Sentenced

Last Update: 3/07 7:20 pm

A man who managed an immigrant smuggling ring that used a National City drop house, then hid in his native Mexico for almost six years after being convicted, was sentenced Friday to more than four years in federal prison.

Alfonso Zapien Carrillo entered a guilty plea on June 30, 2000, to conspiracy to bring in, transport, and harbor illegal aliens.

Zapien subsequently failed to appear for sentencing on Sept. 25, 2000, and the United States made a formal request for his extradition from Mexico on July 6, 2006.

After his appeals were denied in Mexico, Zapien was transported to the United States last June.

According to court documents, Zapien was originally arrested on Nov. 17, 1999, after Border Patrol agents conducted an extensive investigation of houses that authorities suspected were being used to harbor smuggled aliens.

Between May and November of 1999, Zapien made initial smuggling arrangements with undocumented aliens in Mexico and then hired and paid several couriers to transport the aliens from Campo to the house drop house in National City, prosecutors said.

Zapien also maintained and dispatched vehicles to transport aliens from the Campo area, according to prosecutors.

U.S. District Judge Jeffrey Miller said Zapien had an aggravated role in the conspiracy as a leader and an organizer, and sentenced the defendant to 55 months in federal prison.

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