A Columbia, South Carolina resident, Sharon Thompkins, has been convicted of transporting illegal aliens. The verdict was delivered by a jury after more than five hours of deliberation following a two-day trial.
The incident occurred on April 26 when a blue tractor-trailer approached the Border Patrol checkpoint near Laredo. Ralph Young was driving with Thompkins as a passenger. An x-ray examination revealed anomalies in the vehicle, leading to the discovery of four illegal aliens in the sleeper compartment.
Testimony during the trial indicated that Thompkins had agreed to assist in transporting the aliens and instructed them to sit on the bed in the sleeper compartment while closing the curtains to conceal them. Despite defense claims that Thompkins was merely present and did not agree to transport the aliens illegally, the jury found her guilty.
U.S. District Judge John A Kazen presided over the trial and scheduled sentencing for September. Thompkins faces up to five years in federal prison and a possible $250,000 fine. She remains in custody pending sentencing.
Ralph Young, also from Columbia, South Carolina, previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to transport illegal aliens and is awaiting sentencing.
The investigation was conducted by Border Patrol, with Assistant U.S. Attorneys Manuel A. Cardenas Jr. and Tae Chon prosecuting the case.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, an initiative aimed at combating illegal immigration and eliminating cartels and transnational criminal organizations through resources from various Department of Justice task forces.
