Judge orders Hispanic woman turned over to immigration officials
Thursday, December 20, 2007, at 4:20 p.m.

By Brian Lazenby
Staff Writer

A federal judge today sentenced a Hispanic woman arrested along with her husband transporting seven illegal Chinese nationals to 3 1/2 months in prison.

Clara Rodriguez, 33, pleaded guilty to being in the country illegally and will be turned over to immigration officials on Jan. 2, Chief U.S. District Judge Curtis L. Collier said.

Ms. Rodriguez has been in custody since her arrest Sept. 20.

Ms. Rodriguez was arrested on Interstate 75 in Bradley County, Tenn., along with her husband, Venancio Perez, 44, in a van transporting seven Chinese nationals.

Authorities said Mr. Perez is awaiting trial on charges of human trafficking.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert Anderson said there is no evidence that Ms. Rodriguez knew Mr. Perez was transporting the Chinese immigrants illegally.

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