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Amy Francisco, Encouraging Aliens to Enter US Illegally, Iowa 2020
A husband and wife duo from Sioux City, Iowa, have been sentenced to federal prison for their role in encouraging aliens from Guatemala to enter the United States illegally. Amy Francisco, 40, and her husband Cristobal Francisco Nicolas, 37, a citizen of Guatemala, were sentenced in federal court in Sioux City for their crimes.
According to court documents, the Franciscos used individuals outside the United States to arrange for a father and his minor daughter to travel from Guatemala to the United States. The daughter was promised a chance to serve as a surrogate mother for the Franciscos’ baby and was promised education and work opportunities in exchange for her services.
After arriving in the country, the father and daughter were taken to the Franciscos’ home in Sioux City, where they stayed from May 31, 2019, to June 4, 2019. However, the daughter eventually ran away from the home on June 4, 2019, and was later found by officers from the Sioux City Police Department.
Amy Francisco was sentenced to 12 months and 1 day in federal prison, while her husband Cristobal Francisco Nicolas was sentenced to 18 months in prison. Both defendants must also serve a 2-year term of supervised release after their prison terms.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kevin C. Fletcher and investigated by Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Sioux City Police Department.
The Franciscos’ crimes were uncovered as part of a larger investigation into human trafficking in Iowa. Their case serves as a reminder of the devastating consequences of such crimes and the importance of holding perpetrators accountable.
Key Facts
- State: Iowa
- Category: Human Trafficking
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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