McALLEN, Texas (Border Report) A Mexican national man has pleaded guilty to transporting aliens and dumping the body of a deceased migrant on the side of a road in South Texas, U.S. Attorney Nicholas Ganjei said.

Officials say Victor Manuel Martinez-Gallegos, 24, who lived in Edinburg, picked up several migrants and drove them to a stash house on May 27, 2024 in Brownsville. Among them was a Guatemalan who officials say died at the location where Martinez-Gallegos was holding them.

Martinez-Gallegos admitted leaving the body just off a road in Brownsville where human remains were later discovered and identified as belonging to the missing victim, Ganjei said.

“Human smuggling is a depraved, dangerous business, and one where the smugglers often show no mercy or compassion to those they transport,” Ganjei said. “I implore anyone considering hiring a smuggler either for themselves or their loved ones to think twice. Stay home and stay safe.”

Martinez-Gallegos faces a sentencing hearing on Dec. 17 before U.S. District Judge Rolando Olvera. He faces up to live in prison and $250,000 in fines.

Sandra Sanchez can be reached at SSanchez@BorderReport.com.