February 02, 2010
2 plead not guilty in fatal sea smuggling attempt
The Associated PressTwo suspected smugglers have pleaded not guilty in the drowning deaths of two passengers aboard a boat packed with illegal immigrants that capsized off the coast of San Diego.
Fifty-year-old Fernando Figueroa and 45-year-old Javier Jimenez, both of Mexico, entered their pleas Tuesday in U.S. District Court in San Diego. They were indicted on charges of bringing in illegal immigrants resulting in death.
If convicted, they could face a maximum sentence of life in prison.
U.S. authorities say the 30-foot boat crashed in the surf off San Diego's La Jolla shores on Jan. 16. A 34-year-old Mexican man and an 18-year-old Guatemalan woman died.