Homero Zamorano Jr., Smuggling Resulting in Death, Texas 2022

A tragic incident that left 53 people dead has led to a federal indictment against two men in Texas.

Homero Zamorano Jr., 46, of Pasadena, TX, and Christian Martinez, 28, of Palestine, TX, were charged with multiple counts related to the June 27, 2022, incident.

The indictment includes one count of conspiracy to transport illegal aliens resulting in death, one count of transportation of illegal aliens resulting in death, one count of conspiracy to transport aliens resulting in serious bodily injury and placing lives in jeopardy, and one count of transportation of illegal aliens resulting in serious bodily injury and placing lives in jeopardy.

Upon conviction, the charges for conspiracy to transport and transport resulting in death carry a maximum penalty of life in prison or the death penalty. The Attorney General will decide whether to seek the death penalty at a later time.

The defendants face up to 20 years in prison for the transporting resulting in serious bodily injury charges.

On June 27, 2022, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) special agents responded to the scene of a human smuggling event involving a tractor trailer and 64 individuals suspected of entering the United States illegally.

San Antonio Police Department (SAPD) officers discovered multiple individuals, some still inside the tractor trailer, some on the ground and in nearby brush, many of them deceased and some of them incapacitated.

HSI agents confirmed Zamorano matched the individual from the surveillance footage and was wearing the same clothing.

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