On March 19, 2007, a federal judge sentenced a Texas Deputy Sheriff to federal prison for one year and a day for violating the civil rights of an illegal alien who was slightly injured accidentally after the deputy shot at the tires of the van smuggling a group of illegal aliens from Mexico. The van had tried to run him over after he stopped the vehicle for running a stop sign. The U.S. Attorney in Texas wanted the federal judge to imprison the deputy for at least six years, but WLF opposed that recommendation and filed an 18-page brief with the court urging a sentence of probation and/or home confinement. The deputy has been incarcerated since December 1, 2006 when he was convicted of the offense.