Texas Man Convicted in Iowa of Alien Smuggling

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By Becky Ogann

Story Created: Jul 29, 2010 at 5:13 PM CST

Story Updated: Jul 29, 2010 at 5:13 PM CST

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) - A Texas man has been convicted of transporting illegal aliens to Iowa, resulting in the death of one of them.

U.S. Attorney Nicholas Klinefeldt said Thursday that Javier Garcia, 35, Alvarez, of Dallas, was convicted by a jury in federal court in Des Moines on Wednesday.

Prosecutors say Garcia, himself an illegal alien, was transporting 10 illegal aliens in a van from Arizona to Iowa. The van was struck broadside when it ran a stop sign in rural Marshall County of central Iowa the night of Feb. 26. The crash killed Noemi Celestino De Jesus, whose husband testified in the trial.

U.S. District Judge John Jarvey will set a sentencing date later. Prosecutors say Garcia faces up to life in prison.

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