6 charged in immigrant smuggling scheme

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Father and son, owners of Oxnard auto body shops, charged $3,000 to transport people from Mexico to California, according to federal prosecutors.

By Paloma Esquivel, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer

February 22, 2008

The owners of an Oxnard auto body shop were arrested Thursday on suspicion of running a human smuggling ring that outfitted vehicles with hidden compartments and used them to transport illegal immigrants into the United States.

Edgar "Chucky" Eduardo Aceves, 26, and his father, Eduardo Aceves-Murillo, 45, both of Oxnard, and four co-defendants were indicted on charges of conspiring to transport undocumented immigrants for financial gain, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.

The father and son, owners of Chucky's Auto Repair and Aceves Upholstery in Oxnard, allegedly customized vehicles with specialized speaker boxes, center consoles and rear compartments that fit one or two people, said Thom Mrozek, a spokesman for the Attorney's Office. The defendants allegedly charged $3,000 to transport illegal immigrants from Mexico to Los Angeles and Ventura counties.

Aceves and his father took part in at least 25 smuggling operations, according to the indictment. They were also charged with conspiring to smuggle previously deported immigrants who had been convicted of aggravated felonies.

"That conduct will lead to longer sentences," Mrozek said.

If convicted, Chucky Aceves faces a maximum sentence of 35 years in prison, while his father could be sentenced up to 25 years, authorities said.

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-sm...0,4702476.story