Guatemalan man sentenced to 30 years for deadly human smuggling case that killed 53

SAN ANTONIO, Texas (KVIA) -- A 39-year-old Guatemalan man has been sentenced on Monday to 30 years in federal prison for his role in a human smuggling case that left 53 migrants dead.

Rigoberto Ramon Miranda-Orozco pleaded guilty to his involvement in a June 2022 smuggling in San Antonio, which resulted in 53 deaths and 11 people sustaining injuries, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Western District of Texas.

Authorities found the migrants inside a tractor-trailer that didn't have air conditioning or proper ventilation, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.

As temperatures rose, some migrants inside lost consciousness. By the time the tractor-trailer reached San Antonio, 48 migrants died. The U.S. Attorney's Office said another five died after being sent to hospitals.

The deaths included six children and a pregnant woman, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.

Law enforcement found the "seemingly abandoned" tractor-trailer and found the migrants' remains, officials said. U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Texas Justin Simmons said authorities saw the migrants left claw marks on the sides of the tractor-trailer.

"Based on their condition, it was clear that they suffered tremendously in their last few hours on this Earth. They were literally trying to claw their way out," Simmons said.

Simmons said the cause of death for the migrants was hyperthermia.

Miranda-Orozco played a key role in the human smuggling event, Simmons said. He was personally responsible for three people from Guatemala, two of whom died.

Simmons said each migrant involved in the smuggling paid $12,000-15,000 each.

Miranda-Orozco pleaded guilty in July following his arrest and extradition from Guatemala earlier this year. He will serve his sentence in a U.S. prison.