Sep 17, 9:24 PM EDT


Douglas couple sentenced for child smuggling


PHOENIX (AP) -- A Douglas couple are facing federal prison after they attempted to smuggle a teenage girl over the U.S.-Mexico border.

A federal judge in Phoenix sentenced 21-year-old Jessica Renee Botello and 21-year-old Abel Alfredo Lucero to 42 months in prison.

The U.S. Attorney's office says the couple admitted that on December 14, 2007, they attempted to enter through the Douglas Port of Entry with a 13-year-old girl from El Salvador.

Lucero admitted that he and Botello knew the girl was undocumented and that a man named "Dario" was going to give them $350 for escorting the girl into the U.S.

The pair admitted that they planned to use the money to buy drugs.

The teen was detained for reunification with her father in El Salvador.




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