Saturday, July 11, 2009

Twice-Deported Illegal Immigrant Sentenced to 15.75 Years for Kidnapping


Prosecutors and law enforcement team up to combat coyotes

County Attorney Andrew Thomas announced today that Carlos Estrada-Marroquin (DOB 2/18/58) has been sentenced to 15.75 years in prison after being found guilty of kidnapping and extortion charges.

On October 20, 2008, a woman contacted the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Human Smuggling Unit and said her ex-boyfriend was being held hostage by coyotes demanding $1,200. The caller said he knew where the woman lived and if the ransom was not paid the woman’s daughter would be kidnapped.

Sheriff’s detectives set up a sting and as a result Estrada-Marroquin was arrested. In April 2009 a jury convicted him. He was sentenced on July 10. Deputy County Attorney Michael Anderson prosecuted the case. Estrada-Marroquin has been deported at least twice to Guatemala and he has two prior felony convictions for DUI.

Thomas stated, “Violent human smugglers threaten both citizens and illegal immigrants. The entire community is endangered by the actions of those involved in the human smuggling trade.”

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