A Mexican citizen who admitted he transported undocumented workers was sentenced Monday to 15 months in prison. Heron Plaza-Gallegos also will be deported when he completes the term imposed by U.S. District Judge Dale Kimball. A Utah Highway Patrol officer pulled over a van being driven by Plaza-Gallegos on April 6 after spotting a burned-out headlight and discovered 17 Latinos inside. Each had allegedly paid up to $5,500 to be smuggled into the country. The defendant said a man named Mauricio had contracted with him to help with the smuggling. The true name of Mauricio, who also has been charged in the case, is unknown, and he is listed as a fugitive.

Woman pleads guilty to being an addict with a gun

A judge on Monday ordered a Moab woman accused of shooting at a Grand County sheriff's deputy last year to spend 6 1/2 years behind bars, the maximum under federal sentencing guidelines. U.S. District Judge Paul Cassell found that Vicki Lynn Rhoads intentionally discharged a Ruger .357 handgun July 27, 2005, when the deputy tried to arrest her on an outstanding warrant. Under a plea bargain, Rhoads, 38, admitted being a methamphetamine user and pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm by a person addicted to a controlled substance. She was sentenced last year to nine months in Utah State Prison on an unrelated charge of falsifying a vehicle license plate.

Community service ordered in basketball attack

A 25-year-old Salt Lake City man who assaulted another man during a basketball game in a Murray gym was sentenced Monday to probation and 60 days in jail. James H. Fisher - who had pleaded guilty in 3rd District Court to third-degree felony aggravated assault - must also perform 1,500 hours of community service, pay the victim's medical bills and take anger-management classes. During the Jan. 28 game at a health club, Fisher started to roughly foul the victim, according to court documents. When the victim began to walk away, Fisher hit him in the back of the head with the basketball, court documents said. The victim said he made a comment to Fisher, who then punched him in the face four times. The victim suffered seven facial fractures, two to the nose and five to the cheek.