A Mexican citizen residing illegally in Houston has pleaded guilty to charges related to a human smuggling operation that resulted in two deaths. Efrain Rodriguez-Mendoza, 38, is the last of six individuals convicted for their roles in this scheme. Wilmar Rene Duran-Gomez, 52, a Salvadoran citizen also living illegally in Houston, entered his plea on December 9.

“These defendants violated the trust of victims when they agreed to transport them to a safe place in the United States,” said U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani. “Instead, they brutalized them and beat them to death, all because they could not pay to be released."

Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) - Houston Special Agent in Charge Chad Plantz described the crimes as "pure evil" and among the most reprehensible actions he has encountered during his 29-year career. He urged individuals considering using human smugglers to reconsider due to potential life-threatening consequences.

The criminal activities took place between November 6-17, 2006. Rodriguez-Mendoza and Duran-Gomez conspired with others to harbor illegal aliens at a warehouse operated by Duran-Gomez in Houston. Victims were divided into paid and unpaid groups; those unable to pay were subjected to beatings and deprived of basic necessities.

Conspirators demanded payment from families under threats of further violence or death. Two individuals died from severe beatings while held captive. Their bodies were wrapped in blankets, doused with gasoline, and left inside a truck abandoned in Fort Bend County after an unsuccessful attempt to set it on fire.

Authorities discovered the victims' bodies around November 16, 2006.

U.S. District Judge Kenneth Hoyt accepted the guilty pleas and scheduled sentencing for March 2025. The defendants face up to life imprisonment and possible fines up to $250,000 each.

Rodriguez-Mendoza and Duran-Gomez remain in custody pending sentencing.

The investigation was conducted by HSI with support from the Houston Police Department and Fort Bend County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jill Jenkins Stotts and Lisa M. Collins prosecuted the case.