Louisiana truck driver sentenced to federal prison for human transporting conspiracy

A truck driver has been sentenced to federal prison for conspiring to transport people unlawfully within the United States, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

Fifty-three year old Louisiana-based truck driver Carl Bernstein was sentenced on Wednesday to 46 months in federal prison to be followed by three years of supervised release.

Bernstein pleaded guilty on September 9, 2021.

Bernstein was arrested on June 6, 2021, following a traffic stop near Tilden, Texas. Authorities say that Bernstein was operating a tractor trailer on State Highway 16 when he committed a traffic violation and was pulled over.

Bernstein was taken into custody after officers discovered he had active warrants.

After Bernstein exited the truck, police “opened the doors and noticed multiple people inside the trailer.”

Authorities identified 42 non-U.S. citizens who were in the country unlawfully inside the trailer.

Bernstein later admitted he expected to be paid for transporting the individuals.

During the sentencing hearing, the court noted that Bernstein has an extensive criminal record dating back to 1985.

Bernstein is to remain in custody until he is transferred to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility.