In news announced Thursday, but amazingly not covered by the media, a jury has found an illegal immigrant guilty under the human smuggling law in Arizona.  The immigrant was convicted for allowing himself to be smuggled illegally into the United States.  This is an historic first.  Adolfo Guzman—Garcia will be sentenced in December.

Earlier this year, Sherriff Joe Arpaio announced he would begin arresting illegal aliens under the human smuggling provision as passed by the Arizona Legislature and following a legal opinion on the law by Maricopa County Attorney Andrew Thomas in 2005.  So far, Arpaio office has arrested a total of 161 people under the statute, which is designated as a class 4 felony.  Guzman—Garcia can be punished with up to 3.75 years in prison.

J. James Estrada  10 21 06