Man involved in smuggling chase pleads guilty

Associated Press - July 25, 2007 2:15 PM ET

SAN ANTONIO (AP) - A man involved in a South Texas chase that ended in a rollover that killed three illegal immigrants has pleaded guilty to smuggling charges.

Javier Ramirez-Garcia is a Mexican national who was among 20 people in an SUV that rolled in San Antonio this month after a 100-mile chase.

In the plea in federal court yesterday, Ramirez-Garcia acknowledged that he and another guide led 17 illegal immigrants over the Mexican border for $2,500 each.

Ramirez-Garcia faces up to ten years in prison.

All of the occupants were men. Most were believed to be from Guatemala and Honduras. Federal immigration officials say the immigrants were apparently being smuggled to Houston.

The alleged driver, Cuban national Wilberto Calderon-Yero, faces state murder charges and federal smuggling charges.


Information from: San Antonio Express-News, http://www.mysanantonio.com

Copyright 2007 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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