The Prosecutor’s Office of San Antonio, Texas, announced through a statement that the driver identified as Homero Zamorano Jr., aged 45 years old, and American nationality, in addition to three other men linked to the death of 53 migrants could be sentenced to death or life imprisonment if their involvement in the case is confirmed.
It will be a federal court in the District of Texas that will determine the sentence for each one based on US law.
The agency explained that Zamorano, who was accused of smuggling and homicide, lives in the suburbs of Houston and is a native of the city of Brownsville, on the Texas border with Mexico, and it will be this Thursday when Zamorano will have its first court hearing for the migrant tragedy.
Another of those involved in this case is Christian Martínez, from 28 years old, who is accused of criminal association. Presumably he contacted Zamorano to talk about the transportation of migrants.
His arrest occurred in East Texas and he will be taken to San Antonio.
The Monday, the trailer full of migrants passed a Border Patrol checkpoint northeast of Laredo, on the interstate 28. Although the heavy vehicle was registered in Álamo, Texas, its license plates and logos were false.
Mexican authorities released an image captured by surveillance cameras in which Zamorano is seen smiling at a checkpoint during the trip to San Antonio
Two other men of Mexican nationality were also arrested on charges of illegal possession of weapons , both subjects were found at an address in San Antonio that corresponded to the registration of the truck.
The acting special agent of the Homeland Security investigations division in San Antonio, Craig Larrabee, indicated that the Death toll from Monday’s tragedy in San Antonio was the highest ever recorded in a human smuggling attempt in the United States.
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