San Antonio, TX- Two individuals were found guilty by a federal jury for their involvement in a 2022 alien smuggling event in San Antonio, which resulted in 53 fatalities and 11 injuries. A third individual implicated in this incident was extradited from Guatemala to face charges in the United States.
Felipe Orduna-Torres and Armando Gonzalez-Ortega were convicted for their participation in an alien smuggling operation. The operation involved transporting 66 individuals in a non-air-conditioned trailer across the U.S.-Mexico border, resulting in multiple deaths. They allegedly charged each individual and their families between $12,000 and $15,000 for the journey.
Orduna-Torres and Gonzalez-Ortega were found guilty on charges including conspiracy to transport illegal aliens resulting in death and serious bodily injury. Their sentencing is set for June 27, with the possibility of life imprisonment for the charges leading to death.
Rigoberto Ramon Miranda-Orozco was extradited as part of a joint effort between U.S. and Guatemalan authorities. He faces various charges related to the smuggling incident.