SAN ANTONIO — Two Mexican men have been found guilty for their roles in the 2022 Quintana Road human smuggling tragedy, closing a chapter on the operation considered the deadliest incident of its kind in U.S. history.
A federal jury returned the verdict around 3:40 p.m. Tuesday against Felipe Orduna-Torres and Armando Gonzales-Ortega after more than two and a half hours of private deliberations. They were convicted of several charges, including conspiracy to transport illegal aliens resulting in death.
Both men were silent as their fates were read out.
“The disregard for human life shows how human smugglers prioritize, over anything else, money and profit,” said Craig Larrabee, special agent in charge with Homeland Security Investigations San Antonio, following the verdict. “The greed of these men ultimately led to their convictions.”
The verdict caps an 11-day trial that included testimony from co-conspirators, medical examiners, law enforcement, and survivors from June 27, 2022, when dozens of migrants were found dead or dying in an abandoned tractor-trailer in southwest San Antonio. The vehicle had no functional air conditioning, according to a co-conspirator’s testimony.
Orduna-Torres and Gonzales-Ortega face up to life in prison and are scheduled to be sentenced on June 27—a symbolic scheduling to mark three years since the deadly incident. Five others previously pleaded guilty, including the tractor-trailer’s driver; another individual remains a fugitive and Rigoberto Ramon Miranda-Orozco was recently extradited from Guatemela to face charges for his alleged involvement.
In their closing arguments, federal prosecutors reviewed evidence they presented to the jury over the past two weeks, saying Orduna-Torres and Gonzales-Ortega’s repeated actions planning the human smuggling operation showed intent. They referenced the 16 other similar schemes the pair are believed to have been a part of.
Prosecutors presented evidence included more than 400 messages showings coordination over transport and cartel ties, adding that the defendants arranged and executed transportation in the days leading up the mass deaths. They recounted how the victims – which included six children – had “no escape,” noting that pleas for help were heard outside the tractor-trailer.
The defense again questions the lack of forensic evidence – including fingerprints, biometrics and videos – and claimed the government was shaping a certain narrative. Defense attorney Edgardo Rafael-Baez repeatedly told the jury it takes courage to stand up to Goliath, insinuating that the government was the Biblical enemy in this case.
Baez also emphasized reasonable doubt, citing there was no direct identification of the defendants at any scene. He urged the jury to question inconsistencies and the lack of physical evidence.
Key testimony
A carousel of speakers, experts and coordinators shed more light on the days and weeks leading up to June 27, 2022—a day that ended state, local and federal law enforcement swarming a quiet San Antonio road in an effort to rescue whomever they can.
The trial got underway on March 5, when the first witness – a 26-year-old Guatamalan survivor – described how victims screamed for help from inside the tractor-trailer. Greysi Sanjay also recounted how she had no water, that cell phones were taken away from the migrants before travel and how the driver told them they would open the doors.
That never happened.
On March 6, Juan D’Luna Bilbao – who pleaded guilty to conspiracy charges in January 2024 – took the stand as a key witness. He testified that he initially provided vehicle repair services before being asked to park large trucks that he later found were involved in human smuggling operations.
Bilbao testified he assisted with tasks like changing license plates, refueling and transporting trailers. He, along with others involved in the deadly 2022 operation, were able to identify Orduna-Torres in the courtroom.
Another convicted coordinator, Christian Martinez, testified he and the driver, Homero Zamorano Jr., were on drugs during the June 2022 operation. He said he was at the Valero gas station near Quintana Road when Zamorano called him to say people were screaming and banging from the inside of the trailer.
“We were told not to stop and keep going,” Martinez said. “I was shaking, scared and couldn’t help.”
A federal investigator, Janson Jones, testified that migrants would pay anywhere from a few thousand dollars to upwards of $20,000 to be taken into the U.S. Jones also explained the cartels’ control over river crossings, and how they charge a “tax.” He said non-payment can result in beatings or death in order for cartels to set an example.
On March 14 – the trial’s ninth day – Kimberly Molina, the chief medical examiner for Bexar County, testified she arrived at the Quintana Road site until 11 a.m. and didn’t leave until 5 a.m. the next day. She said all 53 migrants died of hyperthermia, or heat stroke, as a result of being in the semitruck for three hours as it journeyed to San Antonio from Laredo.
A pregnant also on the semitruck was 12 to 14 weeks along when she died, Molina said.