Four charged, 53 dead in worst human smuggling catastrophe in modern U.S. history

Homero Zamorano Jr., 45, was arrested and criminally charged along with three other men in the recent and worst human smuggling incident in U.S. history – an incident that resulted in the deaths of 53 immigrants found along with several survivors – abandoned and discovered in a locked-up tractor trailer on June 27 in San Antonio, Texas.

Temperatures in the area that day had soared as high as 103 Fahrenheit (39.4 Celsius), and authorities called to the scene found no water supplies or signs of working air-conditioning inside the cargo trailer.  Officials described finding the rear door to the trailer ajar with “stacks of bodies” inside, many of them hot to the touch. It was not made clear from official accounts how the door opened. ~ Reuters

On that fateful Monday, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) responded to the scene of that human smuggling event, where 64 human beings were suspected of entering the U.S. illegally.  San Antonio Police Department (SAPD) officers advised HSI Agents that they arrived at the location of the tractor trailer in southwest San Antonio after receiving 911 calls from concerned citizens.  At the scene, SAPD officers discovered multiple individuals some still inside the tractor trailer, some on the ground and in nearby brush, many of them already dead and some of them incapacitated. 

It is the worst-known human smuggling catastrophe in modern U.S. history. ~ NPR

SAPD officers were led to the location of a man, later identified as Zamorano, who was observed hiding in the brush after attempting to flee the scene.  Zamorano was detained by SAPD officers. 

Laredo Sector Border Patrol provided HSI agents surveillance footage of the tractor trailer crossing through an immigration checkpoint. The driver could be seen wearing a black shirt with stripes and a hat.  HSI agents confirmed Zamorano matched the individual from the surveillance footage and was wearing the same clothing.

HSI confirmed that 48 individuals were dead at the scene. Of those that died:

• 22 were Mexican nationals,
• seven were Guatemalan nationals,
• two were Honduran nationals, and
• 17 of unknown origin, but still suspected to be undocumented non-citizens (UNCs). 

HSI confirmed the undocumented status of the deceased individuals by utilizing a mobile fingerprint device.  Sixteen of the 64 undocumented individuals were transported to local hospitals for medical evaluation. Five died at the hospital.  Officials are working with foreign consulate offices for proper notifications to family members of the deceased.

Zamorano is charged by criminal complaint with one count of alien smuggling resulting in death. He is originally from Brownsville but resides in Pasadena, Texas.  If convicted, Zamorano faces up to life in prison or possibly the death penalty.  A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Also charged by criminal complaint is Christian Martinez, 28, who was arrested on June 28 in Palestine.  He is charged with one count of conspiracy to transport illegal aliens resulting in death. 

According to court documents, a search warrant was executed on a cell phone belonging to Zamorano.  Through investigation, it was discovered that communications occurred between Zamorano and Martinez concerning the smuggling event.  If convicted, Martinez faces up to life in prison or could face the death penalty. 

In addition to the arrests of Zamorano and Martinez, Juan Claudio D’Luna-Mendez, 23, and Juan Francisco D’Luna-Bilbao, 48, both citizens of Mexico, were arrested and had initial appearances on June 27, 2022. 

According to court documents, the registration for the tractor trailer used in the attempted alien smuggling event came back to a residence in San Antonio.  SAPD officers set up surveillance on the residence and observed two males leaving in separate trucks.  After traffic stops on both trucks, the drivers were identified as D’Luna-Mendez and D’Luna-Bilbao. 

D’Luna-Bilboa was in possession of a handgun that was found in the center console of the truck he was driving.  A search warrant was executed at the residence where additional firearms were located.  Both individuals were determined to be in the U.S. illegally and were charged by criminal complaint with one count of possession of a weapon by an alien illegally in the U.S.  If convicted, both D’Luna-Mendez and D’Luna-Bilbao are looking at up to 10 years in prison. 

For more on the worst human smuggling case in recent American history, see the video accompanying this article.

(Source: U.S. Attorney’s Office / Western District of Texas)

(Homero Zamorano Jr. and Christian Martinez, mugshots, Image credits: Facebook/homero.zamoranojr1 and Anderson County Jail)

Posted by Richard Webster, Ace News Today   /   Follow Richard on Facebook and Twitter