Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit July 17, 1981, 80-1778 (United States v. Santos Flores-Elias)

BOOCHEVER, Circuit Judge:

Santos Flores-Elias was convicted of smuggling and conspiracy to smuggle illegal aliens from El Salvador into the United States. During the smuggling effort, thirteen of the Salvadorans died in the Arizona desert. The survivors and their guides were later apprehended by immigration authorities. This tragic incident received widespread media coverage.