Texas man admits to smuggling two people across border in flag-draped coffin

A man from Galveston, Texas, pleaded guilty on Tuesday to attempting smuggle people across the U.S.-Mexico border in a coffin draped in an American flag, like those used to transport fallen troops.

Zachary Taylor Blood, 33, admitted to one count of alien smuggling related to an incident in October, according to a statement from the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Southern District of Texas.

Blood reportedly drove up to the Border Patrol checkpoint near Falfurrias, TX, in a gray van modified to transport caskets. When authorities noticed the flag-draped coffin in the back and asked what he was transporting, Blood allegedly replied, “Dead guy, Navy guy.”

The report notes the coffin was in poor condition, with the American flag taped on with packing tape.

Blood was referred to a second inspection, where officers discovered two Mexican nationals stowed inside the casket. The two admitted to paying a smuggler to get them across the border to San Antonio, who took them to a parking lot where Blood was waiting with his van, according to authorities. 

Blood's sentencing hearing is set for May 11, at which time he will face up to five years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000. He has and will remain in custody pending that hearing.