http://www.stltoday.com/

EAST ST. LOUIS: Mexican admits driving illegal immigrants


08/26/2006


Juan Arias-Ramirez, 23, pleaded guilty Friday in federal court in East St. Louis on 11 counts of transporting illegal immigrants.

Arias-Ramirez, an illegal immigrant from Mexico, admitted to attempting to drive a van of 11 others from Arizona to Chicago and Indianapolis to find jobs. Authorities in Bond County arrested all 12 during a traffic stop June 7.

Arias-Ramirez faces up to two years in jail and a fine of $1,100 at sentencing Dec. 1.

His lawyer, Renee Schooley, said her client will be deported after he completes his sentence.

She said the 11 others in the van already have been deported.