Smuggling

Two Men Convicted in San Antonio Mass Smuggling Incident

Title: Two Men Convicted in San Antonio Mass Smuggling Incident

**San Antonio, TX** – Two individuals were found guilty by a federal jury for their involvement in a 2022 alien smuggling event in San Antonio, which resulted in 53 fatalities and 11 injuries. A third individual implicated in this incident was extradited from Guatemala to face charges in the United States.

Felipe Orduna-Torres and Armando Gonzalez-Ortega were convicted for their participation in an alien smuggling operation. The operation involved transporting 66 individuals in a non-air-conditioned trailer across the U.S.-Mexico border, resulting in multiple deaths. They allegedly charged each individual and their families between $12,000 and $15,000 for the journey.

Orduna-Torres and Gonzalez-Ortega were found guilty on charges including conspiracy to transport illegal aliens resulting in death and serious bodily injury. Their sentencing is set for June 27, with the possibility of life imprisonment for the charges leading to death.

Rigoberto Ramon Miranda-Orozco was extradited as part of a joint effort between U.S. and Guatemalan authorities. He faces various charges related to the smuggling incident. The coordinated efforts have been part of a broader initiative

Japanese Hino Motors Pleads Guilty to Smuggling Auto Parts Into U.S.

Hino Motors Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy and Fraud Charges

**Detroit, MI** – U.S. District Court Judge Mark A. Goldsmith has accepted Hino Motors, Ltd.’s guilty plea to a one-count criminal charge for engaging in a long-term conspiracy to defraud the U.S. government and consumers and illegally smuggling goods. The court imposed a $521.76 million criminal fine and a five-year probation period, including a prohibition on importing diesel engines into the United States. A $1.087 billion forfeiture money judgment was also issued against Hino.

Court records reveal that between 2010 and 2019, engineers at Hino Motors submitted falsified applications for engine certification approvals, violating the Clean Air Act. The engineers manipulated emissions test data and submitted fraudulent information, resulting in false fuel consumption values. Over 105,000 non-compliant engines were imported and sold between 2010 and 2022, primarily for heavy-duty trucks.

Acting Assistant Attorney General Adam Gustafson expressed that Hino’s actions gave it an unfair advantage and generated over $1 billion in proceeds. The Justice Department is committed to enforcing emissions standards and addressing fraud. Acting U.S. Attorney Julie Beck emphasized the importance of