After weeks on the run, a woman wanted in connection with a deadly South Texas human smuggling investigation is now in federal custody, according to a warrant reviewed by KSAT Investigates.
Karina Garcia is one of 11 people indicted last month in connection with an investigation linked to the death of seven immigrants.
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Records show U.S. Marshals arrested Karina Garcia in Del Rio, Texas on Aug. 16.
During a July press conference announcing the indictments, federal authorities said they have been actively searching for Garcia and another suspect, Seferino Huerta-Casillas.
KSAT Investigates emailed the U.S. District Attorney’s Office on Wednesday afternoon asking if Huerta-Casillas was in federal custody. This story will be updated once we hear back.
The identities of the indicted are:
- Franklin Williams Ayala Aguilera
- Jonas Ulloa-Aguilera
- Damian Huerta Analucas
- Karina Garcia
- Eric Hernandez
- Mayra Alejandra Huerta
- Seferino Huerta-Casillas
- Pascual Raymundo Loarca
- Rosario Cristal Lopez-Saldana
- Maria Norma Neri de Moran
- Edson Alejandro Perez
Simmons said five suspects are non-U.S. citizens, four are U.S. citizens, and two are “lawful permanent” U.S. residents.
All 11 are facing the following charges:
- Conspiracy to transport aliens resulting in death
- Aiding and abetting the transportation of aliens resulting in death
If convicted, each charge carries a maximum penalty of life in prison.
The train’s path
The bodies of six immigrants were found just after 3:30 p.m. on May 10, 2026, at a rail yard in the 12000 block of Jim Young Way, which is located about 15 miles north of downtown Laredo.
>> What we know about 6 people found dead in a Laredo boxcar, another found near Bexar County railroad
In a previous news release, the Webb County Medical Examiner’s Office identified five of the six immigrants found in Laredo:
- A 56-year-old man from Mexico
- A 45-year-old man from Mexico
- A 29-year-old woman from Mexico
- A 24-year-old man from Honduras
- A 14-year-old boy from Honduras
The Webb County Medical Examiner’s Office determined the woman from Mexico died due to hyperthermia. Officials believe it is likely they all suffered the same cause of death.
A seventh person, a Mexican resident believed to be connected to those found in Laredo, was discovered on May 11, 2026, along railroad tracks in southwest Bexar County, Sheriff Javier Salazar previously said.
During July’s news conference, Simmons said the immigrants were in a shipping container carried on a train from Del Rio to Laredo. As the train arrived in San Antonio, the U.S. attorney said the body of that seventh person “fell out of the (train) car” and “left for dead.” The train then continued its trek to Laredo.
>> Boxcar where 6 immigrants found dead in Laredo traveled from California, police say
The seventh immigrant, a man, was later identified as Nereo Aguilar Garcia, 49, according to the Bexar County Medical Examiner’s Office.
According to Simmons, individuals paid the human smuggling organization between $1,500 and $10,000 to get them across the U.S.-Mexico border.
Pasciucco credited the Homeland Security Task Force’s “critical role” in July’s federal indictments.
“By leveraging the expertise and resources of our HSTF partners, we have coordinated efforts across agencies, shared vital intelligence and enhance the effectiveness of our enforcement actions in a short period of time,” Pasciucco previously said.
In addition to the DOJ and HSI, Pasciucco said the U.S. Border Patrol and Laredo Police Department contributed to the federal investigation.
Read more reporting on the KSAT Investigates page.