(CNN)One land security research agent called the most deadly trafficking of 53 people. Four people were arrested and charged after the death of an immigrant in the history of the United States.
Christian Martinez, 28, arrested in Palestine, Texas on Tuesday, was charged with a conspiracy to transport and kill undocumented migrants, the Justice Department said. rice field.
If convicted, both Zamorano and Martinez may face life imprisonment or the death penalty. CNN was unable to determine if Martinez had a lawyer.
On Thursday, Zamorano, whose limbs were detained, first appeared in front of a federal judge in San Antonio. At least four US Marshals were in court when I read the allegations facing Zamorano. After being asked by the judge, Zamorano said he was not compromised by mental health, dosing or alcohol.
When asked by CNN, Zamorano's lawyer said he didn't want to comment.
State prosecutors have filed a motion requesting that Zamorano be detained without detention. His detention hearing will take place in Federal Court of San Antonio at 11:00 am on July 6.
When police arrived at the scene on Monday, the DOJ announced that they found multiple people in the tractor trailer.
"SAPD police officers were taken to the whereabouts of an individual who was later identified as Zamorano, and were observed hiding in a brush after attempting to escape. Zamorano became a SAPD police officer. I was detained, "the release said. According to the
release, the Laredo Sector Border Patrol also provided Homeland Security investigators with surveillance footage showing that the tractor trailer is passing through immigration. The driver was seen wearing a striped black shirt and hat.
"The HSI agent confirmed from the surveillance footage that Zamorano matched the individual and wore the same clothes," the release read.
Investigations have revealed that the release has led to communications between Zamorano and Martinez regarding the smuggling case.
D'Luna-Mendez's lawyer said he would not comment on the pending proceedings. CNN has contacted D'Luna-Bilbao's lawyer, but has not responded.
There is no water or working AC in the trailer, the chief firefighter
The refrigerated semi-tractor trailer has no visible working air conditioning unit, There were no signs of water inside. Charles Hood, chief of the San Antonio Fire Department, told reporters on Monday. It's not clear how long the people in the truck were dead, he said.
According to the National Weather Service, the high temperatures on Mondays in the San Antonio region ranged from the highest temperatures in the 90s to the lowest temperatures in the 100s.
"None of these people could release themselves from the truck," Hood said. "So when we arrived, they were still there and waiting for help, that is, they were too weak and weakened to actually get out and help themselves."
Craig Lullaby, a special agent in charge of investigations at the Department of Homeland Security, described this as "the worst trafficking case in the United States."
"Previously, smuggling organizations were moms and pops. Now smuggling organizations are organized and tied to cartels. Therefore, there are criminal organizations that do not consider the safety of immigrants. They are next. It is treated like a product, not a person. "
The business owner in the area where the trailer was found said he was shocked by the CNN.
"They were humans, it was terrible," said Israel Martinez, 68, co-owner of USA AutoParts. "We (immigrants) came to this country for a better life, and to many of us yesterday, sadly, some of us achieve it, but many others don't. It reminded me of that. "
