Possible death penalty for those indicted in Texas smuggling operation that left 53 dead

Four men have been indicted by federal grand juries in connection with the smuggling operation that left 53 migrants dead after being left behind trapped inside a trailer under the Texas heat.  

Homero Zamorano Jr., 46, of Pasadena, Texas, and Christian Martinez, 28, of Palestine Texas were each charged with one count of conspiracy to transport undocumented migrants resulting in death, transporting undocumented migrants resulting in death, conspiracy to transport undocumented migrants resulting in serious bodily injury and placing lives in jeopardy, and transporting undocumented migrants resulting in serious bodily injury and placing lives in jeopardy, the Department of Justice (DOJ) said in a statement.

The DOJ added that the men could face the death penalty if convicted. 

Authorities found enough evidence through surveillance footage and phone communications obtained through a warrant to connect Zamorano and Martinez to the incident. 

Zamorano initially pretended to be one of the victims of the incident after police found him hiding in a bush near the trailer. He was arrested at the scene.

Additionally, the DOJ also indicted Juan Claudio D’Luna-Mendez, 23, and Juan Francisco D’Luna-Bilbao, 48, both Mexican citizens who were charged with one count each of possession of a firearm while being unlawfully in the U.S.

If convicted, the men could face up to ten years in prison. 

D’Luna-Mendez and D’Luna-Bilbao were charged the same day the migrants were found inside the truck after authorities tracked the truck’s license plate registration to an address in San Antonio. 

The truck was found on the outskirts of San Antonio on June 27 after an employee working in a nearby building reported the semi claiming that he heard cries for help. 

When authorities arrived, they found the tractor-trailer full of migrants, many of who were dead. They had been left behind trapped inside of the truck without water under high temperatures ranging from the high 90s to low 100s.

Most of the people died from overheating and exhaustion. The victims were “hot to the touch,” authorities added.