San Ysidro

Two San Ysidro women who admitted smuggling at least four Mexican babies to childless couples in the United States were sentenced Tuesday to one year in federal prison.

Telling the defense attorneys that the women “were dealing in a black market of babies,” U.S. District Judge J. Lawrence Irving upheld the sentencing recommendation of the prosecutor, Barry Moskowitz.

Juanita Vargas-Ruiz, 53, and her daughter, Melinda Leyva-Vargas, 28, were placed on five years’ probation, which will begin after they finish their sentences. Irving ordered them not to associate with illegal aliens or to be involved with any adoption proceedings while on probation.

The judge allowed the women to remain free until July 28, when they will report to prison.

Speaking through a Spanish interpreter, Juanita Vargas tearfully told Irving, “Yes, I’m very sorry. We did it to help the children.”

Melinda Leyva told the judge, “My intent was basically to find good homes for the children. I tried my best, talking to the people . . . getting as much information about the people. I treated these people as friends, not as a business.”

According to a document provided by the defense, four of the babies’ natural mothers had unstable family situations and voluntarily gave up their children for adoption.

On March 17, both women pleaded guilty to conspiracy to bring in illegal alien babies and concealing material facts from the Immigration and Naturalization Service. They could have received five-year terms and fines up to $250,000.