Two Naval Officers Plead Guilty to Smuggling Immigrants Into U.S.
Two Navy petty officers have pleaded guilty to smuggling charges, three months after being caught trying to bring migrants into the U.S. through an immigration processing center at the San Ysidro Port of Entry.
Antonio Pina, a military policeman, and Jose Hernandez-Valdez arranged for the migrants to walk through the processing center at night, when it was closed, and then through the back door to a waiting car, according to federal prosecutors.
For the record:
12:00 a.m. May 25, 2006 For The Record
Los Angeles Times Thursday May 25, 2006 Home Edition Main News Part A Page 2 National Desk 0 inches; 30 words Type of Material: Correction
Smuggling charges: A headline in Wednesday’s California section about two Navy petty officers who pleaded guilty to smuggling charges referred to them as naval officers. Petty officers are enlisted personnel.
The defendants, who pleaded guilty Monday, face potential prison terms of three to 10 years. Sentencing is scheduled for August.
Pina, 25, worked at the building and allegedly opened the door for Hernandez-Valdez, 34, and the migrants, who paid $3,000 each to be taken to Los Angeles, according to the criminal complaint.
Undercover agents for Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the U.S. Border Patrol witnessed the incident just inside the U.S. border at a facility where migrants obtain visas and other immigration paperwork.
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