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January 18, 2007
TYRONE WILLIAMS SENTENCED TO LIFE IMPRISONMENT
(HOUSTON) After several days of deliberation, the federal jury which convicted Tyrone Mapletoft Williams of transporting and smuggling in undocumented aliens in his tractor trailer which resulted in the death of 19 in May 2003, has decided Williams’ fate and imposed a life sentence without parole on each of the 19 counts of conviction, United States Attorney Don DeGabrielle announced today. The verdicts were announced today in open court at approximately 2:20 p.m. by United States District Judge Lee H. Rosenthal, who presided over the lengthy trial.
“Today, through a jury’s verdict the fate of Tyrone Mapletoft Williams, the person who placed the lives of so many in jeopardy, has been decided. We respect that jury’s verdict,” said United States Attorney Don DeGabrielle. “Our objective from the beginning was to bring to justice those responsible for the smuggling operation that resulted in the tragic loss of life in a tractor trailer in Victoria, Texas in May 2003. With today’s verdict, all but one, have been held to account for their actions. Our efforts will continue.”
“Nothing can change the tragic outcome of the events in Victoria, Texas, more than three years ago," said Julie L. Myers, Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). "However, justice is served from today’s sentencing. Our ICE agents diligently investigated this case with these severe consequences in mind. We hope this significant sentence will help dissuade potential alien smugglers away from this dangerous, dehumanizing and illegal business."
Williams faced the death penalty, life imprisonment or any term of years as punishment for his conviction in Count 1 in which he was convicted of conspiring with others to transport and harbor illegal aliens for commercial advantage and financial gain in a manner that caused death, and Counts 40 - 58 which related to the smuggling of the 19 deceased victims of the ill-fated smuggling operation. Today the jury imposed a life sentence as punishment on each of Counts 40 - 58. As to Count 1, the jury decided to leave the term of years to be imposed for this conviction to the court.
Previously convicted of Counts 2 - 39 -- transporting undocumented aliens in a manner that placed the lives of 38 surviving aliens in jeopardy -- Williams also faces a maximum penalty of 20 years imprisonment and a $250,000 fine on each count. The court will determine and impose a sentence as to each of these counts and Count 1 at a sentencing hearing set for August 23, 2007 at 9:00 a.m.
Williams will remain in federal custody pending his sentencing.
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