Smuggler Convicted in San Diego After Migrant’s Death
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SAN DIEGO — A smuggler leading a group of migrants through the snowy eastern San Diego County mountains was convicted of 19 counts related to the deadly incident.
Juan Ramirez Lopez, 45, was convicted Monday of smuggling resulting in death, smuggling for profit, and transportation of undocumented immigrants.
Ramirez entered the United States near Tecate, Mexico, on March 2 with 25 migrants and led them through the mountains, according to the U.S. attorney’s office in San Diego.
When a snowstorm began, Ramirez abandoned one man, Emeterio Flores-Zotelo, who later died of hypothermia.
When the group reached the Sunrise Highway, someone spotted them and notified authorities. Ramirez was arrested, and authorities took the migrants into custody.
Ramirez was scheduled to be sentenced Dec. 11.
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