Tucson, AZ – A Texas man has been indicted by a federal grand jury on multiple charges related to a deadly alien smuggling incident on Interstate 10 near Tucson. Moises Gabriel Castillo, 39, faces one count of Conspiracy to Transport Illegal Aliens and four counts of Transportation of Illegal Aliens, all of which include allegations that the offenses were committed for financial gain, endangered lives, caused serious bodily injury, and ultimately resulted in a fatality.
According to the criminal complaint, on July 24, 2024, Castillo was driving a commercial semi-truck along Interstate 10 near Rita Road in Tucson when he rear-ended another semi-truck. The force of the collision caused Castillo’s truck to skid, leading to a tragic sequence of events. An adult male passenger was ejected from the vehicle and was pronounced dead at the scene. Three additional passengers were discovered nearby, including a 16-year-old, who had reportedly fled to nearby brush following the crash.
Law enforcement officials determined that all four individuals were undocumented noncitizens without legal permission to be in the United States. The individuals later revealed that they had been paying to be smuggled further into the country. Two of the undocumented passengers required surgery for injuries sustained in the collision.
The Pima County Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed that the decedent died from blunt force injuries to the head.
If convicted on the charges related to Conspiracy to Transport Illegal Aliens Resulting in Death or Transportation of Illegal Aliens Resulting in Death, Castillo could face a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.
Comentarios