Thread: TX: Guilty plea expected in trailer deaths case

March 28, 2008, 11:06PM
Guilty plea expected in trailer deaths case
Mexican is last defendant in the smuggling tragedy


By CINDY GEORGE
Copyright 2008 Houston Chronicle

The Mexican citizen whose extradition to the United States last year made him the final defendant in the nation's worst human smuggling tragedy is set to plead guilty next month.

According to court documents, Octavio Torres Ortega, 42, will admit to a lone conspiracy count that could bring a life sentence.

An arraignment is scheduled for April 7. Efforts late Friday to reach his lawyer, Steven J. Rozan, were unsuccessful.

Torres was extradited from Mexico to Houston in October to face charges in the 2003 case. His capture, plea and sentencing will effectively conclude the government's case against 14 defendants charged in the botched smuggling attempt that left 19 illegal immigrants dead in South Texas.

The sealed trailer that transported at least 74 illegal immigrants has been described by prosecutors as a "rolling chamber of death." As conditions inside reached deadly temperatures, passengers clawed holes in the wall and punched out tail lights in the compartment.

The victims — from Mexico, Honduras, El Salvador and the Dominican Republic — died of asphyxiation, hyperthermia and dehydration.

Torres is accused of directing illegal crossings from Mexico into the United States and arranging transportation to a drop house in Harlingen.

Known as "Tavo" or "Gustavo," he fled to Mexico after authorities discovered the gruesome scene in Victoria. He was apprehended at his home in San Luis Potosi after U.S. authorities obtained a provisional arrest warrant.

His fellow defendant, truck driver Tyrone Williams, was the first person to face the death penalty under a 1994 federal smuggling law. Williams also was the only defendant for whom prosecutors sought capital punishment. He is serving a life sentence.

Other defendants have received 12 to 23 years in prison. Minor players were sentenced to time served awaiting trial, one was acquitted and another had her charges dropped.

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/met ... 57705.html

He should recieve the same sentance as the 19 that died did, but wait thats right Mexico will not extradite in the case of a death penalty, it much easier for them to sentance Americans to death in their own country, with their good little illegal soliders,