Mexican pleads guilty in human smuggling via plane

Associated Press

MCALLEN, Texas (AP) — A man from Tampico, Mexico, has pleaded guilty in South Texas illegal immigrant smuggling attempt via charter plane.

Prosecutors in McAllen say 39-year-old Jorge Luis Gallegos-Avila pleaded guilty Thursday to conspiring to harbor, conceal and shield illegal immigrants.

He was arrested June 20 near McAllen-Miller International Airport after five suspected immigrants were dropped off. All five were detained before boarding a charter plane that was heading for San Antonio.

Gallegos-Avila faces up to 10 years in federal prison when he's sentenced Nov. 28. He remains in custody without bond.