Smugglers sentenced for journey that left 3 sisters useless

SAN DIEGO (AP) — Two smugglers had been sentenced to federal jail on Friday for leading three sisters from Mexico into California, where they froze to demise in a mountain snowstorm.

Cecilio Rios-Quiñones, 38, and his brother, 23-12 months-outdated Ricardo Rios-Quiñones, gained 5 1/2 many years each in U.S. District Courtroom in San Diego.

They pleaded responsible final yr to conspiracy and other rates.

Prosecutors said the adult males, who are from Chihuahua, led the women of all ages across the border on Feb. 10, 2020, and have been in a rugged area close to Mount Laguna, about a dozen miles north of the border, when a snowstorm struck. The girl, from Oaxaca, died from hypothermia.

The ladies, who arrived from inadequate rural places and were searching for greater life, lacked correct clothes or supplies for a journey of numerous times by rain and snow, authorities stated.

Protection lawyers argued that the brothers had been only compensated to be guides and hadn’t anticipated such intense weather conditions. They huddled with the women of all ages, seeking to retain them heat, and one particular at last hiked down the mountain to find a spot for cellphone reception to connect with 911, lawyers mentioned.

A U.S. Border Patrol lookup and rescue unit identified Margarita Santos Arce, 32 and Paula Santos Arce, 29, lifeless. Juana Santos Arce, 35, died afterwards.

“It is tragic that another person wishes to arrive listed here to function and dies, but it is much more tragic that there are men and women who reward from this, who treat them like cargo,” U.S. District Decide Cathy Ann Bencivengo mentioned at the sentencing.

Cecilio Rios-Quiñones is regretful and “will for good reside with the guilt of owning been portion of a legal act that killed three girls,” his legal professional, Michelle Betancourt, wrote in a sentencing memo, in accordance to the San Diego Union-Tribune.

“I am a guy of religion and I am very remorseful for what I did,” Ricardo Rios-Quiñones wrote in a letter to the choose. “We weren’t geared up for the storm and I would have in no way participated in this if I would have recognised somebody would close up damage or useless.”