Authorities said on the anniversary of the June 27, 2022, tragedy that the four Mexican nationals had a planning role in the smuggling operation.
The driver and another man were arrested shortly after the migrants were found. They were charged with smuggling resulting in death and conspiracy.The four new arrests were made Monday in Houston, San Antonio and Marshall, Texas. Riley Covarrubias-Ponce, 30, Felipe Orduna-Torres, 28, Luis Alberto Rivera-Leal, 37, and Armando Gonzales-Ortega, 53, were all charged with conspiracy to transport immigrants resulting in death, serious bodily injury and placing lives in jeopardy.
The indictment alleges the men worked with human smuggling operations in Guatemala, Honduras and Mexico, and shared routes, guides, stash houses, trucks and trailers, some of which were stored at a private parking lot in San Antonio.Migrants paid the organization up to $15,000 each to be taken across the U.S. border. The fee would cover up to three attempts to get into the country, the indictment said.
The truck was found on a remote San Antonio road and arriving police officers detained driver Homero Zamorano Jr. after spotting him hiding in some nearby brush.Surveillance video captured footage of the 18-wheeler passing through a Border Patrol checkpoint. One survivor, a 20-year-old from Guatemala, told The Associated Press the smugglers had covered the trailer’s floor with what she believed was powdered chicken bouillon, apparently to throw off any dogs at the checkpoint.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
San Antonio police seek information in June 2022 murder caseSan Antonio police are seeking information to help identify and locate a suspect in the murder of a 33-year-old woman nearly one year ago.
Read more »
San Jose: Man dies from injuries in motorcycle crashThe rider was injured June 15 on Montague Expressway, and died June 24, police say.
Read more »
Couple's mission for 'invaluable' stillbirth team at Royal StokeLaura and Rich Swinscoe lost their son Cub in July 2022.
Read more »
Ryan Reynolds Celebrates His 2022 Sci-Fi Movie Crossing Huge Netflix MilestoneRyan Reynolds takes to social media to celebrate his 2022 science-fiction adventure movie becoming Netflix’s 3rd most popular movie ever.
Read more »
Video baby monitors for cars recalled because battery malfunction can cause a fireThe Zooby brand video baby monitors were sold online from January 2022 through May 2023.
Read more »
NEW STUDY: Eating Disorders spiked after pandemic, local clinic discusses findings, treatmentAs a growing number of Americans continue to deal with mental health post-covid, one type of condition is on the rise.
Read more »