A man from Texas has admitted his involvement in a human smuggling and trafficking operation that led to the deaths of 53 migrants who were trapped in a stifling tractor-trailer in San Antonio last year.
Christian Martinez, aged 29, hailing from Palestine, Texas, entered a guilty plea for various charges connected to the crime, as disclosed by the United States District Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Texas in a press release issued on Wednesday.
According to the district attorney's office, Martinez pleaded guilty to one count of Conspiracy to Transport Illegal Aliens Resulting in Death, one count of Conspiracy to Transport Aliens Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury and Placing Lives in Jeopardy, one count of Transportation of Illegal Aliens Resulting in Death, and one count of Transportation of Illegal Aliens Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury and Placing Lives in Jeopardy.
Martinez, whose sentencing is scheduled for January 4, 2024, could face a maximum penalty of life imprisonment, as noted by the district attorney's office.
The release further revealed that Martinez and his 47-year-old co-defendant, Homero Zamorano Jr., who served as the tractor-trailer driver, were initially charged on July 20, 2022. In total, four men faced indictment by a federal grand jury in San Antonio, as previously reported by PEOPLE.
At the time of the tragic incident, the San Antonio Police Department provided details of the initial response when authorities arrived at the scene.
During a live press conference on Facebook, Chief William P. McManus disclosed that the first call was received at 5:50 p.m. local time from an employee at a nearby building who heard a cry for help and investigated.
Upon approaching the truck, the employee discovered the door partially open and 46 deceased migrants inside. Subsequently, after the arrival of a team of fire trucks, police, and emergency personnel at the location on Quintana Road, 16 individuals, including 12 adults and four children, were swiftly transported to hospitals.
Tragically, the death toll eventually reached 53. Two patients were admitted to University Hospital, and at least five were taken to Baptist Medical Center, as confirmed by PEOPLE at the time.
Chief Hood described the victims during the press conference, stating that they were hot to the touch, suffering from exhaustion, with no signs of water in the vehicle and no functioning air conditioning unit.
He emphasized the unexpected and harrowing nature of the discovery, stating, "We're not supposed to open up a truck and see stacks of bodies in there. None of us come to work imagining that."
San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg expressed condolences at the time, emphasizing the need for assistance and indicating that the federal investigation would continue to seek answers.
In another news, a man from Rhode Island is facing life in prison for the tragic murder of his girlfriend and the gruesome act of hiding her body in his refrigerator, authorities have confirmed. See detailed story here. See detailed story here
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