Texas Man Pleads Guilty To Playing Part In Death of 53 Migrants Who Asphyxiated In Tractor-Trailer During Smuggling Attempt

A Texas man pleaded guilty to playing a role in the death of 53 migrants who asphyxiated inside a sweltering tractor-trailer while being smuggled into the U.S. in 2022.

Concretely, Homero Zamorano Jr. pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to transport aliens resulting in death, causing serious bodily injury, and playing lives in jeopardy; one count of transportation of aliens resulting in death; and one count of transportation of aliens resulting in serious bodily injury and placing life in jeopardy. He could be sentenced to life in prison and is scheduled to be sentenced on April 24.

Authorities have argued that Zamorano and others involved in the smuggling scheme knew that the air-conditioning system was not functioning properly and would not reach the migrants in the back. Temperatures were as high as 100 °F inside the trailer, leading the migrants to scream and bang its walls while Zamorano kept driving, according to investigators.

The vehicle was abandoned in San Antonio, Texas, where 48 migrants were found dead inside. An additional 16 were hospitalized, and five later died. The victims included nationals from Mexico, Honduras, Guatemala, and El Salvador. Zamorano was found hiding in a nearby brush.

U.S. authorities have accused the smuggling network of coordinating across multiple countries, sharing resources such as routes, guides, and stash houses. Migrants reportedly paid up to $15,000 each for passage across the U.S. border, a fee that covered up to three attempts.

Guatemalan authorities arrested seven other individuals over the crime last August. Among them was Rigoberto Román Miranda Orozco, identified as the leader of the smuggling network and whose extradition has been requested by the U.S. In addition to the arrests, authorities seized vehicles, cash, and rescued other migrants who were found during the operations.

Also charged in the case was Christian Martinez, also from Texas. He pleaded guilty to smuggling-related charges, while Zamorano had plead not guilty and faced trial.