14 Charged in Deadly Texas Smuggling Case After Seven Migrants Found Deceased

A federal grand jury in West Texas has charged 14 people in an alleged human smuggling operation linked to the deaths of seven migrants who prosecutors say were locked inside a shipping container aboard a freight train. The Justice Department announced the expanded indictment Monday. Eleven defendants were first indicted in July.

Prosecutors allege that smugglers brought the seven migrants across the border from Mexico and used bolt cutters to open a container aboard a stopped Union Pacific train in Del Rio on or about May 9. They allegedly loaded the group inside and secured the door from the outside. The container had no ventilation or cooling system, and outside temperatures that day ranged from 88 to 92 degrees.

When the train reached San Antonio, prosecutors say, smugglers opened the container, found the migrants in distress and fled. They allegedly left one victim’s body near the tracks and the other six inside the container. A rail yard worker in Laredo discovered the six bodies on May 10, and authorities later found the seventh in San Antonio. Four victims were Mexican nationals and three were Honduran nationals, including a 14-year-old. Investigators said at least one victim sent a message to a loved one asking for help.

Prosecutors allege the network used freight trains to move migrants farther into the United States from at least April 2023 through May 2026. Migrants or their relatives and friends paid smugglers between $1,500 and $10,000, according to court documents.

Twelve defendants face charges tied to the deaths that carry a maximum penalty of life in prison if convicted. The indictment also includes charges related to bringing migrants into the country illegally and conspiring to launder money. All defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty.