A federal court in San Antonio, Texas, handed down heavy prison sentences on Friday to two human traffickers for the deaths of 53 migrants found in the overheated trailer of a truck.
Felipe Orduna-Torres, 30, received a life sentence. His accomplice, Armando Gonzales-Ortega, 55, was sentenced to 83 years in prison.
In June 2022, the smugglers loaded 64 migrants from Guatemala, Honduras, and Mexico into a trailer without functioning air conditioning. Among them were eight children and a pregnant woman, each having paid between $12,000 to $15,000.
During the journey from the Mexican border to San Antonio, the migrants repeatedly called for help and knocked on the trailer walls to indicate the rising temperatures, but received no assistance. By the time they arrived in San Antonio, 48 of the 64 occupants had died. An additional five succumbed later in hospital.
Felipe Orduna-Torres was identified as the leader and organiser of the smuggling network. Armando Gonzales-Ortega was involved in coordination. Both were found guilty in March.
Five other men, also found guilty, are due to be sentenced in November and December.
