San Diego woman is accused of hiding 44 immigrants at her home

Reporting from San Diego —  A woman was arrested Sunday and charged with harboring and concealing 44 immigrants in the country illegally — some of whom said they were kept in a small backyard shed, the U.S. attorney’s office said.

If convicted, Dania Olivero, 51, faces up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $500,000.

According to the federal complaint, residents in the City Heights neighborhood alerted police that people had been dropped off by two vehicles at the home on University Avenue and then hurried inside.

When officers showed up, Olivera told them she had invited people over to drink beer, the U.S. attorney’s office said. But some of her purported guests ran into the backyard when they saw the officers, prosecutors said.

Police suspected the people were immigrants in the U.S. illegally and summoned U.S. Border Patrol officers, who questioned the group.

Two identified themselves as Guatemalans, while the rest said they were Mexican. All admitted they were in the country illegally, officials said.

Some in group told authorities that dozens of them had been locked in a small backyard shed that lacked electricity, ventilation or a bathroom.

The group of 44 was arrested. Seven remain in custody as witnesses, and the rest were handed over to immigration officials.

david.hernandez@sduniontribune.com

Hernandez writes for the San Diego Union-Tribune

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