http://www.dfw.com/mld/startelegram/new ... 944149.htm

Posted on Fri, Jun. 30, 2006


Mexican national pleads guilty to smuggling immigrants

npjwag
Associated Press

BROWNSVILLE, Texas - A Mexican national pleaded guilty Friday for his role in a ring suspected of using luxury charter boats to ferry illegal immigrants past Border Patrol checkpoints.

Luis Alberto Gutierrez-Zapien stated in his plea agreement that the alleged ring made $55,500 in 10 smuggling trips, The Brownsville Herald reported in its Saturday editions.

Gutierrez-Zapien admitted in federal court to driving six immigrants in May to boat docks in Port Isabel. From there, a cruise owner agreed to transport them to Corpus Christi on his boat, Gutierrez-Zapien said.

Breakaway Cruises owner Mack Daniel Bryant was arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Also arrested were Bryant's manager, Robert Milton Moore, charter boat captain Norman Michael Walker and deckhand Baldemar Valdez Jr.

Gutierrez-Zapien, who pleaded guilty to felony conspiracy, is scheduled to be sentenced Aug. 25. His charge is punishable by up to five years in prison.