Two indicted for heat-related deaths of 53 migrants

A federal grand jury in San Antonio indicted Homero Zamorano Jr., 46, and Christian Martinez, 28—both from Pasadena, Texas—on counts of conspiring to transport migrants illegally resulting in death, and conspiracy to do so resulting in serious injury. Both reside in federal custody without bond awaiting trial. Their attorneys did not immediately comment on the indictments. Prosecutors could seek the death penalty, due to the numerous deaths resulting from the men’s alleged actions.

How did prosecutors find the two men? Police arriving at the scene of the initial incident took Zamorano into custody after they found him hiding in nearby bushes. Officers searched his phone only to find calls to Martinez concerning the smuggling run. Footage from a border patrol checkpoint also shows Zamorano driving the 18-wheeler containing the 73 migrants. The incident is the deadliest single immigration-related incident to take place along the U.S.-Mexico border.

Dig deeper: From the WORLD archives, read Sophia Lee’s first article in a series about how churches on the border are helping traumatized migrants.