DES MOINES (AP) — A Texas man has been convicted of transporting undocumented immigrants to Iowa, resulting in the death of one of them.
U.S. Attorney Nicholas Klinefeldt said Thursday that Javier Garcia Alvarez, 35, of Dallas was convicted Wednesday by a federal court jury in Des Moines.
Prosecutors said Garcia, who is an undocumented immigrant himself, was transporting 10 others in a van from Arizona to Iowa.
The van was struck broadside when it ran a stop sign in rural Marshall County in central Iowa the night of Feb. 26. The crash killed Noemi Celestino De Jesus, whose husband testified during the trial.
U.S. District Judge John Jarvey will set a sentencing date later.
Prosecutors said Garcia faces up to life in prison.
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