Feds Arrest Leader in Deadly Human Smuggling Case in San Antonio

Federal officials have indicted Rigoberto Román Mirando Orozco, a Guatemalan national, for his alleged role in a human smuggling operation that resulted in the deaths of 53 migrants in a sweltering tractor-trailer in San Antonio. U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Texas, Jaime Esparza, announced the charges during a press conference, emphasizing the commitment to justice for the victims of the 2022 tragedy. Orozco faces six counts of migrant smuggling leading to death or serious injury, with a potential maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. The indictment follows the arrest of Orozco and six other individuals in Guatemala, facilitated by 13 police raids across three departments. Interior Minister Francisco Jiménez confirmed the arrests, highlighting the collaborative efforts between U.S. and Guatemalan authorities. The migrants were discovered trapped inside the truck on a hot summer day, lacking water and air conditioning, after being smuggled from Laredo to San Antonio. In addition to Orozco, several co-conspirators, including Riley Covarrubias-Ponce, Christian Martinez, and Juan Francisco D’Luna Bilbao, have pleaded guilty to multiple charges related to the smuggling operation. These charges include conspiracy to transport illegal aliens resulting in death and serious bodily injury. The truck driver, Homero Zamorano Jr., also faces pending charges in connection with the incident. The case underscores the ongoing challenges of human trafficking and the dangers faced by migrants seeking a better life. Authorities continue to investigate the broader network involved in this tragic event.