4 Humanitarian Aid Volunteers Guilty On Abandonment Of Property, Other Offenses
Guilty verdicts have been rendered against four volunteers for the humanitarian aid group No More Deaths.
Volunteers with No More Deaths work in Southern Arizona, leaving food and water for migrants who cross the border illegally.
On Friday, U.S. Magistrate Judge Bernardo P. Velasco found four No More Death volunteers guilty of multiple charges, including entering a national wildlife refuge without a permit, operating a motor vehicle in a wilderness area and abandonment of property.
In court documents, Velasco wrote that No More Deaths had not told the volunteers that their work on the Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge could result in criminal prosecution.
No More Deaths issued a written statement quoting long time volunteer, Catherine Gaffney.
“This verdict challenges not only No More Deaths volunteers, but people of conscience throughout the country. If giving water to someone dying of thirst is illegal, what humanity is left in the law of this country?”
A sentencing date will be set within the next 10 days, according to the No More Deaths release. Each charge could bring up to six months in federal prison and a maximum fine of $500.
No More Deaths Verdict
