LOS ANGELES--A Guatemalan national who helped run a Los Angeles-based organization that transported more than 9,000 undocumented immigrants around the country was sentenced Monday to 6 years in federal prison.

Francisco Andres-Francisco, 40, has been in custody since he was arrested in Pennsylvania while driving a van loaded with illegal immigrants.

Andres-Francisco pleaded guilty in November. He was one of a dozen people indicted for their involvement the operation.

Evidence showed that the organization transported more than 9,000 foreigners over a four-year period.

Story Date: March 11, 2009