16 months in prison for cab driver who smuggled people via Windsor rail tunnel

A Canadian cab driver has been sentenced to 16 months in a U.S. prison for sending immigrants through a risky international tunnel under the Detroit River.

Juan Garcia-Jimenez, 53, wept and apologized Monday in federal court in Detroit, Mich.

Besides prison, he was fined $8,680, which is the amount of money paid by nine people who were caught last year when they emerged on foot on the Detroit side of a railroad tunnel.

The 2.5-kilometre (1.6-mile)tunnel is used by cargo trains moving between Ontario and Michigan.

Five people are accused of illegally crossing into Detroit

6 years ago

Duration 0:33

The active rail is located between the Windsor-Detroit Tunnel and the Ambassador Bridge.

U.S. prosecutor Susan Fairchild said it's extremely risky the walkway in the tunnel is only 43.1 centimetres (17 inches)wide.

Garcia-Jimenezwould drop people off at the tunnel entrance and then drive away.

In March 2018, the U.S. Attorney's Office said Garcia-Jimenez was allegedly paid $1,500 US by a Mexican worker for help walking through the rail tunnel.

The worker, who was employed by a Leamington farm,was caught by the United States Customs and Border Protection Agents after entering the U.S.