A fatal accident in New Boston, Texas, along Interstate 30 in May has resulted in a 50-month federal prison term for the driver, who transporting unauthorized immigrants from Latin America.
Francisco Armando Munguia-Aleman, 52, appeared for formal sentencing Tuesday before U.S. District Judge Robert Schroeder for sentencing with Texarkana lawyer John Pickett in a third-floor courtroom of Texarkana's downtown federal building. Munguia-Aleman pleaded guilty to transporting illegal aliens at a hearing May 25.
Munguia-Aleman was "a little tired and needed a little rest," when he drove a Toyota Sequoia May 8 with eight passengers, all illegally present in the U.S., east on Interstate 30 near New Boston, Texas, according to a factual basis used to create the following account. At about 4:15 a.m., Munugia-Aleman veered off the road, rolling the Sequoia multiple times. As a result of the accident, a 41-yea-old man died, several people were treated at area hospitals, and a 4-year-old girl was turned over to Child Protective Services.
Munguia-Aleman was tasked with driving the unauthorized immigrants from Houston to the Texarkana area. How the immigrants crossed the U.S. border and traveled to Houston is not addressed in Munguia-Aleman's public court documents.
"Someone else was to transport them, together with me, accross the United States," the factual basis states. "I did not have a personal or familial relationship with any of the occupants and I did not have a direct financial arrangement with them."
Craven explained to Munguia-Aleman in May that the punishment range for transporting illegal aliens is up to five years in federal prison, a fine up to $250,000, or both. However, if the criminal violation results in a death, the punishment range includes the possibility of a death sentence, life in prison or any term of years.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan Locker handled the case for the government.