by | Published
BROWNSVILLE, Texas – A 24-year-old Mexican national has pleaded guilty to transporting illegal aliens that resulted in the death of one individual, U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei announced.
According to court documents, Victor Manuel Martinez-Gallegos, who was residing illegally in Edinburg, picked up several undocumented migrants in Brownsville on May 27, 2024, and transported them to a stash house where they were hidden from authorities. During this time, a Guatemalan migrant was found in visible distress and, despite being alive when placed in the stash house, later died at the location.
Martinez-Gallegos admitted leaving the victim’s body near Maverick Road in Brownsville. Authorities later recovered human remains at the site and confirmed the identity of the deceased.
“Human smuggling is a depraved, dangerous business, and one where the smugglers often show no mercy or compassion to those they transport,” said Ganjei. “I implore anyone considering hiring a smuggler—either for themselves or their loved ones—to think twice. Stay home and stay safe.”
Martinez-Gallegos is scheduled to be sentenced on December 17, where he faces up to life in prison and a potential $250,000 fine. He remains in custody pending the hearing.
The investigation was conducted by U.S. Border Patrol, with assistance from the Cameron County Sheriff’s Office and the University of North Texas Center for Human Identification. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ana C. Cano is prosecuting the case.
