Roma man involved in human smuggling ring sent to prison

BROWNSVILLE, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A 28-year-old Roma man has been sentenced for conspiring to smuggle undocumented immigrants resulting in multiple deaths, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei.

Jose Refugio Torres was involved in the attempted smuggling of undocumented immigrants in March 2019 by motor vehicle from the Rio Grande Valley to destinations within the United States.

During this failed attempt in Duval County, the vehicle rolled over and caused the deaths of four people with serious injuries to six others.

The victims included citizens of Honduras, Guatemala, El Salvador and Ecuador as well as a 17-year-old boy from Ecuador.

Jose Refugio Torres pleaded guilty on Sept. 27, 2023, admitting he conspired to transport undocumented immigrants from the Valley to destinations within the U.S.

In handing down the sentence, the court noted the severity of human smuggling involving death and admonished Torres that should he return to smuggling, he could be facing potential life in prison.

Torres was sentenced to three years in prison, immediately followed by one year of supervised release.

Torres was permitted to remain on bond and voluntarily surrender to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility, which will be determined soon.