Posted: Dec 04, 2013 11:40 AM PST Updated: Dec 04, 2013 4:05 PM PST

KINGSVILLE (Kiii News) -

A Mexican national who plead guilty on numerous charges involving the trafficking of illegal aliens was sentenced by a U.S. District Court Judge Wednesday and will be heading to prison to face a hefty restitution.

Judge Janis Graham Jack, who accepted the guilty plea in August, handed Idelfonso Garcia-Benitez a total sentence of 120 months in federal prison and ordered him to pay $2,161,529 in restitution.

Garcia-Benitez was arrested back in March after authorities attempted to stop his vehicle when he failed to stop at a stop sign. During that traffic stop attempt, Garcia-Benitez led police on a high-speed pursuit that ended when he collided with a vehicle barrier on General Cavazos Avenue in Kleberg County, which had been deployed by Naval Air Station-Kingsville.

A total of 15 illegal immigrants were discovered at the scene, seven of which died as a result of the collision.

In handing down the sentence, Judge Jack noted the loss of life and monetary costs that resulted from the crime. As an illegal immigrant, Garcia-Benitez is expected to face deportation proceedings following his release from prison.

http://www.kiiitv.com/story/24135797...ants-sentenced