Four Men Indicted In Smuggling Operation After 53 Migrants Die Trapped Inside Semitruck

Four men have been indicted for a smuggling operation that resulted in the deaths of 53 migrants in Texas.

Last month, 53 migrants died after getting trapped in the back of a semi-truck. CNN reports Homeland Security Investigations called the incident the deadliest human smuggling incident in the country’s history.

So far, four men have been indicted on federal grand juries in connection to the operation. On Wednesday, Homera Zamorano, 46, and Christian Martinez, 28, were charged with one count each of conspiracy to transport undocumented migrants resulting in death; transportation of undocumented migrants resulting in death; conspiracy to transport undocumented migrants resulting in serious bodily injury and placing lives in jeopardy; and transportation of undocumented migrants resulting in serious bodily injury and placing lives in jeopardy, according to a news release from the Department of Justice, CNN report.

Two other men – Juan Claudio D’Luna-Mendez, 23, and Juan Francisco D’Luna-Bilbao, 48, have also been charged. They received charges including a count each of possession of a firearm while unlawfully present in the US.

The two could be subjected to the death penalty, says the department.