Smuggler sentenced to 19 years

SAN DIEGO, Dec. 16 (UPI) -- A smuggler trafficking in humans and drugs who repeatedly led Border Patrol agents in California on high-speed chases drew a 19-year prison term.

Jovanni Mendoza, 26, was sentenced Friday on the higher end of the range by a federal judge who said Mendoza was dangerous to the public, the Los Angeles Times said Saturday.

During sentencing at the federal courthouse in San Diego, border agents urged a harsh sentence for Mendoza, who was convicted of 10 counts of smuggling aliens and drugs.

"The county is going to be a lot safer with this dangerous smuggler off the roads," said Donald McDermott, a U.S. Border Patrol superviser of the unit that arrested Mendoza.