Watch CBS News

Santa Clarita Truck Driver Pleads Guilty To Ferrying Illegal Immigrants

LAS CRUCES, N.M. (AP) — A California truck driver has pleaded guilty in a New Mexico court to a charge that he transported illegal immigrants.

Federal prosecutors say 42-year-old Ulises Lluch-Valdes of Santa Clarita entered his plea Tuesday in Las Cruces.

He was arrested in March and released on a $5,000 bond. He remains on release pending his sentencing hearing, which has not yet been scheduled.

The charge stems from a stop at a border patrol checkpoint in southern New Mexico. During an inspection, agents found three illegal immigrants hiding inside the cab of his tractor-trailer.

Prosecutors say Lluch-Valdes admitted that he was charging the three men $800 each to transport them to California.

Lluch-Valdes faces up to 10 years in prison and three years of supervised release.

(© Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.