SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — A man accused of smuggling unauthorized immigrants from Mexico into the U.S. pleaded guilty in federal court Thursday, according to a release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office of the Southern District of California.
Kevin Noe Campos Villa, of Tijuana, was arrested on Jan. 22 after U.S. Border Patrol agents say they saw him guiding people through sewer pipes about two miles west of the San Ysidro Port of Entry.
The release stated that sewer pipes between the U.S. and Mexico have grates to prevent people from illegally entering the U.S. However, in periods of heavy rain, the grates are opened to let water flow through.
On Thursday, Campos admitted he directed seven unauthorized immigrants through the sewer pipes when the grates were open during heavy rains. Several of them had to be rescued from the Tijuana River by San Diego lifeguards, according to the release.
Court documents showed Campos agreed to smuggle the group in January because he would have his own smuggling fee reduced to $6,000, the release said.
He faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison plus a $250,000 fine, according to the U.S. Attorney’s office.