Major operation dismantles human trafficking network linked to Texas mass casualties

On Wednesday, extensive coordination between the Department of Justice and its domestic and international partners resulted in a major enforcement operation that dismantled a human smuggling network in Guatemala. In June 2022, the network smuggled people into the United States on a journey that ended with the deaths of 53 migrants in a truck in San Antonio, Texas. Twenty-one of the deceased migrants were Guatemalans.

This case is part of Joint Task Force Alpha (JTFA), which was established in June 2021 by Attorney General Merrick B. Garland in partnership with the Department of Homeland Security to strengthen U.S. enforcement efforts against human smuggling from Central America.

On August 21, Guatemalan law enforcement executed multiple search and arrest warrants throughout Guatemala, in cooperation with U.S. law enforcement. At the request of the United States, Guatemalan authorities arrested Guatemalan citizen Rigoberto Ramon Miranda-Orozco, who has been charged in the Western District of Texas in connection with the investigation. Six individuals arrested as part of the operation are facing local charges in Guatemala.

Miranda-Orozco, 47, whose indictment was unsealed today, is alleged to have conspired with other smugglers to facilitate the travel of four migrants from Guatemala through Mexico and ultimately to the United States. He allegedly charged the migrants or their families and friends approximately $12,000 to $15,000 for the trip. The indictment alleges that three of the migrants died in the truck and the fourth suffered serious bodily injury. Miranda-Orozco is charged with six counts of migrant smuggling resulting in death or serious bodily injury. He faces maximum sentences of life in prison.

“Over the past two years, the Department of Justice has worked methodically to hold accountable those responsible for the horrific tragedy in San Antonio, which left 53 people who were victims of human trafficking,” said Attorney General Garland. “With these arrests, the Department of Justice and our partners in Guatemala have now arrested a total of 14 people for their alleged involvement in this tragedy.”

“Smugglers prey on migrants and profit, with no regard for human life,” said Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro N. Mayorkas.

“When we launched Joint Task Force Alpha three years ago, we promised to hold those responsible to account,” said Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco.

“As alleged… Miranda-Orozco recruited some of the migrants who died… and worked with a network of smugglers,” said Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole Argentieri.

“This was a complex operation and a great success in… capturing a key organizer,” said U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas.

“HSI is deeply involved… these arrests reflect the disruption…” said Katrina W. Berger, HSI’s executive deputy director.

“The men and women at CBP are relentless…” said Troy A. Miller, Senior Official Performing Duties Commissioner.

The human smuggling ring allegedly loaded 65 migrants into a truck without working air conditioning as it drove north on a Texas highway. As temperatures rose inside, some of the migrants lost consciousness while others scrambled to escape; by the time they arrived in San Antonio, 48 had died inside, while another five succumbed after being transported to hospitals, including six children and a pregnant woman.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Texas has previously charged seven other suspects in connection with the incident. Four of them have pleaded guilty so far.

The Miranda-Orozco indictment and the U.S.-Guatemalan cooperation were spearheaded by JTFA, along with numerous interagency efforts aimed at disrupting dangerous Central American smuggling networks that impacted the U.S., including operations in El Salvador, Honduras, Mexico, Colombia, and Panama, which targeted prolific criminals who endangered/abused/exploited vulnerable populations who posed a risk to national security and were involved in transnational organized crime activities.

Since its inception, JTFA has enhanced coordination/cooperation between DOJ, DHS, and foreign law enforcement, with a focus on influential organizations that coordinate significant indictments/extraditions across jurisdictions. This collaboration is supported by the U.S. Attorney’s Offices on the southwest border, including the Southern Districts TX/AZ/CA, along with DOJ Criminal Division components such as HRSP-OPDAT-NDDS-MLARS-EO-JTFA, which have been operationalized through substantial DHS-FBI-DEA investments.

HSI San Antonio investigated the case with assistance from HSI Guatemala/DC Human Smuggling Unit-CBP National Targeting Center/Operation Sentinel-US Border Patrol-BATFE-San Antonio Police/Fire Departments-Palestine Police Dept.-OIA-OPDAT, while the Department of Justice acknowledged the significant contributions of Guatemalan law enforcement to the investigation.

HRSP trial attorney Alexandra Skinnion and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jose Luis Acosta-Eric Fuchs-Sarah Spears-Amanda Brown assisted the prosecution and HRSP historian/Latin America specialist Joanna Crandall.

An indictment is merely an accusation; all suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty, the court said.