Illegal immigrant gets prison in ransom case

  HOUSTON -- Prosecutors in Houston say an illegal immigrant who led a smuggling ring that held people for ransom has been sentenced to more than 24 years in prison.

A federal judge on Monday sentenced 26-year-old Heriberto Perez-Pinon, who had been living in Houston.

Perez-Pinon in 2010 pleaded guilty to hostage taking. Authorities say smuggled immigrants were held until family or friends paid a release fee.

The investigation began in 2009 when two people escaped from a group being hauled to a Houston stash house. A concerned citizen contacted police on behalf of the pair.

Five co-defendants earlier pleaded guilty to hostage taking or conspiracy to commit hostage taking and have been sentenced to prison.

Further details on the home country of Perez-Pinon, who faces deportation after prison, were not immediately available.

(Copyright ©2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) Get more Local »

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Woman faces 10 years in illegal immigrant case

  JACKSON, MI -- A woman convicted in Mississippi for harboring illegal immigrants from China, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, India and Mexico faces up to 10 years in prison when she's sentenced July 12.

Court records said Sheren Nguyen was transporting nine illegal immigrants in a Chevy Suburban when it was pulled over on Interstate 55 in Pike County on Dec. 15, 2010.

Nguyen told authorities she is a naturalized U.S. citizen from Vietnam. She had a Houston, Texas, driver's license and was apparently bound for Atlanta with the illegal immigrants.

She pleaded guilty March 31. She faces up to 10 years in prison and up to a $250,000 fine.

(Copyright ©2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
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