SAN ANTONIO – In a tragic incident that took place in May, federal prosecutors in San Antonio have revealed serious charges against 11 individuals connected to the deaths of seven migrants, including a young teenager. The migrants were discovered locked inside a sealed shipping container on a Union Pacific train, leading to a significant legal response.
The indictment was made public on Friday, and it details how, on May 9, 2026, smugglers used red bolt cutters to unlock a Conex shipping container on a stationary train in Del Rio. They loaded seven migrants, who had crossed into the U.S. from Mexico, into the container and sealed it shut.
This container was stacked on top of another, had no ventilation, and was impossible to open from the inside. The temperatures outside ranged from 88 to 92 degrees, creating a dire situation for those trapped inside.
As the train moved toward San Antonio, the migrants began to panic, struggling to breathe. Disturbingly, at least one person managed to send a message to a loved one, pleading for help. When the train arrived in San Antonio, the smugglers opened the container and fled, leaving behind one person who had already died. The train continued to Laredo, where a rail yard worker later discovered six more bodies inside the container.
The victims included four Mexican nationals and three Honduran nationals, among them a 14-year-old boy. This heartbreaking incident has drawn attention to the dangers of human smuggling and the risks faced by those seeking a better life.
U.S. Attorney Justin Simmons highlighted the tragedy of the situation during a press conference, stating that each migrant had paid between $1,500 and $10,000 to be smuggled across the border, only to face such a horrific fate. The smuggling operation had reportedly been active since at least April 2023, using the Union Pacific rail system to evade Border Patrol checkpoints.
Simmons urged potential migrants to think carefully before trusting smugglers and cartels, emphasizing that these organizations do not care about their lives, only about their money.
The 11 defendants are facing serious charges, including conspiracy to transport illegal aliens resulting in death, with each count potentially leading to life in prison. Among the accused, there are four U.S. citizens, five non-U.S. citizens, and two lawful permanent residents.
Additionally, the indictment seeks the forfeiture of property linked to the smuggling operation, including $53,000 in cash, firearms, and vehicles. Federal investigators are actively searching for two suspects, Karina Garcia and Seferino Huerta-Casillas, who remain at large.
Anyone with information about the whereabouts of these suspects is encouraged to contact Homeland Security Investigations or local law enforcement. This case was investigated by multiple agencies, including HSI San Antonio, the Laredo Police Department, Texas Department of Public Safety, and U.S. Border Patrol.
