‘Incorrigible criminal alien’ sent to prison
Ann McGlynn

In the middle of a winter storm one night in January 2004, Julie Mason was driving home from her job in Mount Pleasant, Iowa.

The 35-year-old Burlington, Iowa, woman tried to avoid the car coming straight at her, investigators think. But the wife and mother of one could not do so. The head-on collision killed her instantly.

Behind the wheel of the other car? Antonio Medina-Sanchez, also known as Juan Luna.

He was drunk.

He also was an illegal immigrant, in the United States despite being deported twice before.


It was the fourth time he was caught for drunken driving in Iowa. He also had convictions throughout the Midwest for forgery, stealing a car and assault.

He was acquitted of vehicular homicide by a jury in Des Moines County, Iowa, but was convicted of drunken driving.

Medina-Sanchez, however, will spend 10½ years in prison for violating federal immigration laws — again. He was sentenced Thursday in U.S. District Court in Davenport by Judge James E. Gritzner. Prosecutor Cliff Cronk requested more time for Medina-Sanchez, calling him an “incorrigible criminal alien.â€