Riley Covarrubias-Ponce, Human Smuggling, Texas 2022

San Antonio, TX – A tragic case of human smuggling has led to a guilty plea from a key defendant. Riley Covarrubias-Ponce, a 31-year-old Mexican national, pleaded guilty to four counts related to the smuggling of at least 66 migrants in June 2022, resulting in the deaths of 47 adults and six children.

Covarrubias-Ponce, also known as Rrili and Rilay, was a member of the human smuggling organization responsible for the failed smuggling attempt. He coordinated with other members of the organization regarding the migrants who were being smuggled from Guatemala, Honduras, and Mexico into the U.S. in the days leading up to June 27, 2022. He then traveled from Houston to accompany the loaded tractor trailer as it transported the migrants north on Interstate Highway 35.

The tractor trailer ultimately ended up at the unloading location on Quintana Road in San Antonio, where it was discovered that many of the smuggled migrants had died.

Covarrubias-Ponce pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to transport illegal aliens resulting in death; one count of conspiracy to transport aliens resulting in serious bodily injury and placing lives in jeopardy; one count of transportation of illegal aliens resulting in death; and one count of transportation of illegal aliens resulting in serious bodily injury and placing lives in jeopardy. He faces a maximum penalty of life in prison.

A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

This case is part of an ongoing investigation by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Texas, the Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) San Antonio Division, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The investigation has received tremendous support from Customs and Border Protection, Border Patrol, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the San Antonio Police Department, the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office, the San Antonio Fire Department, the Marshall Police Department, and the Palestine Police Department.

Covarrubias-Ponce is currently awaiting sentencing. His co-defendants, including Christian Martinez, Homero Zamorano Jr., Felipe Orduna-Torres, Luis Alberto Rivera-Leal, and Armando Gonzales-Ortega, also face charges related to human smuggling.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Texas is part of Joint Task Force Alpha (JTFA), which was established by Attorney General Merrick B. Garland in June 2021 to enhance U.S. enforcement efforts against human smuggling and trafficking groups operating in Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras.

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