Woman caught with illegals and meth gets sentenced for car theft

By Jonathan Clark
Published/Last Modified on Friday, Aug 18, 2006 - 11:33:14 pm MST

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Herald/Review

BISBEE — A Phoenix woman caught in Douglas driving a stolen car with nine illegal immigrants inside was sentenced to 2 1/2 years in prison by a Cochise County Superior Court judge Friday.

Liliana Lopez, 19, asked Judge Tom Collins for probation, which was one of several sentencing alternatives included in a plea agreement she signed in July.

“Well, I’m not going to do that,” said Collins, who cited the value of the stolen property, the fact that Lopez was transporting illegal immigrants, and that she admitted to belonging to a gang as aggravating circumstances.

According to court records, a DPS officer stopped Lopez on Sept. 24, 2005, after he spotted her driving a Dodge Durango with expired Sonora plates.

When he approached the vehicle, the officer saw several people hiding inside and a glass pipe sitting in a cup holder.

Further review found that the car’s ignition had been damaged, and a computer check revealed that it had been stolen from Enterprise Rent-a-Car in Phoenix.

The nine people discovered in the car were turned over to the Border Patrol.

Lopez was arrested and taken to the Douglas Police Department, where a search located another pipe and methamphetamine in her bra.

As part of her deal with the state, Lopez pleaded guilty to one count of car theft — a Class 4 felony.

She was on probation in Maricopa County for a threatening and intimidating conviction at the time of her arrest.

herald/review reporter Jonathan Clark can be reached at 515-4693 or by e-mail at jonathan.clark@bisbeereview.net.

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Bill Stein wrote on Nov 22, 2008 7:45 PM:

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pauline wrote on Aug 21, 2008 12:52 PM:

" Dear Ann, Another little 6 year old ripped off by CPS of Mesa with false charges against our daughter. He is now a ward of the court bouncing around homes and crying to be taken home to his Mother who has done a great job parenting for 6 years and wants him back. If grandparents or a relative file a Guradianship for the child in Juvenile Court, will that close the Dependency Case? Can the child then be moved out of state to where the guardians are living? Thanks for you help..Please email me ASAP...Pauline "

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