Texas Driver Pleads Guilty in Deadly 2022 Migrant Smuggling Case

Homero Zamorano Jr. faces life in prison after admitting to his role in the deaths of 53 migrants in a sweltering trailer near San Antonio.

Homero Zamorano Jr., 48, pleaded guilty to three federal charges, including conspiracy to transport migrants resulting in death, and faces a maximum life sentence.
The 2022 incident involved 67 migrants crammed into a trailer with a malfunctioning refrigeration unit, leading to 53 deaths from extreme heat exposure.
Victims included citizens from Mexico, Honduras, Guatemala, and El Salvador, many of whom paid up to $15,000 for smuggling services.
Authorities have charged multiple individuals in connection with the smuggling operation, including arrests in the U.S., Mexico, and Guatemala.
This case is the deadliest human smuggling attempt in U.S. history, highlighting ongoing challenges with border enforcement and migrant safety.