Prosecuting immigrants is so important to Maricopa County Attorney Andrew Thomas that he's brought in an "elite prosecutor", Anthony Novitsky to represent the State of Arizona to attempt to convict immigrants of conspiracy to smuggle themselves into the US.

For three days last week, the head of the county attorney's violent-crime unit was in a sixth-floor courtroom presenting a case. It is so rare for Anthony Novitsky to actually stand before a jury that some junior county attorneys came to the courtroom simply to observe.

As division chief, Novitsky is responsible for overseeing every grisly murder in the Phoenix area. That includes the two men accused in the "Serial Shooter" case and the man accused of crimes linked to the "Baseline Killer" case. The last case Novitsky prosecuted was Bishop Thomas O'Brien's hit-and-run in 2004.

The stakes weren't as high last week. If convicted, the man on trial would likely be sentenced to probation and released. This case was more about scoring a victory for Novitsky's boss, Andrew Thomas...

For Thomas' office, the convictions are trophies. The guilty jury verdict in Colon's case was called a "historic milestone" by Thomas' office in a news release. It is also praised on Thomas' new Web site, illegalimmigrationjournal.com. (Source).

More info on the charges of conspiracy:
Sheriff Joe arrests more immigrants
Immigrant faces up to 4 years for conspiracy