United States v. Damian Tapia

The defendant, Damian Tapia, and his brother, Ruben Tapia, were brought to trial on a four count indictment charging them with conspiracy to transport illegal aliens in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 371, two substantive counts of transporting illegal aliens in violation of 8 U.S.C. § 1324(a)(2) and 18 U.S.C. § 2, and peonage in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1581. Both defendants were found guilty of conspiracy and two counts of transporting illegal aliens, and both were acquitted of the peonage charge. Appellant Damian Tapia was sentenced to concurrent terms of two years on each count, and appeals from…