Several individuals involved in an illegal migrant smuggling operation have admitted their involvement in a fatal human trafficking scheme.
One such incident occurred in the Corpus Christi region.
Per the U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement, Juan Manuel Tena, 40, from Pharr, along with Julia Isairis Torres, 37, Israel Torres Jr., 34, and Jose Refugio Torres, 27, all from Roma, planned to move undocumented migrants from the Rio Grande Valley to other U.S. locations.
Due to the said conspiracy, eight migrants died, and two were gravely injured.
“In his quest for personal gain, this human trafficker not only violated our immigration laws but also caused the deaths of eight migrants through his negligent actions,” stated HSI San Antonio Special Agent in Charge Craig Larrabee.
A Homeland Security Investigations inquiry revealed that in February 2022, Tena and his team tried to transport individuals by sea from South Padre Island to the Corpus Christi region. The vessel overturned, leading to the deaths of four migrants and significant injuries to another.
Before reaching the Corpus Christi coastline, the four suspects were involved in a 2019 accident in which they tried to smuggle migrants from the Rio Grande Valley to Houston, causing the deaths of four migrants.
ICE, assisting in the probe, reported that the victims hailed from Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, including a 17-year-old Ecuadorian boy and a pregnant Honduran woman.
Tena, in his plea, acknowledged his role in the scheme and consented to relinquish several properties in Roma and Pharr that he confirmed were acquired using the earnings from the conspiracy.
In their pleas, Julia Torres and Jose Torres both confessed to their participation in the ill-fated human smuggling attempt of March 2019.
On July 26, Israel Torres also admitted his part in the March 2019 event.
U.S. District Judge Roland Olvera approved the pleas and scheduled the sentencing for Dec. 20. All four could face life imprisonment and a potential fine of $250,000.
“Due to their actions, eight individuals, including an expecting mother, lost their lives,” remarked U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani. “While many sought a better life in the U.S., Tena and his team exploited them for financial gain. Now, they face time in federal jail.”