HSI investigating case of 2 noncitizens found dead on the side of I-10 in West Texas
ALPINE, Texas – Special agents with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) are looking into a human smuggling attempt that resulted in the death of two undocumented noncitizens this past weekend in the West Texas desert.
The Culberson County Sheriff’s Office and the U.S. Border Patrol assisted in the case.
On June 12, a passing motorist reported discovering two bodies on the eastbound on-ramp of Interstate 10, several miles east of Van Horn, Texas. Fingerprint checks identified the two individuals as Rosenda Gomez-Lopez, a Guatemalan national, and Edgar Vividor-Rodriguez, a Mexican national.
Cause of death is pending autopsy results, but investigation at the scene indicated that the individuals may have passed away from heat exposure or dehydration and were subsequently pushed from a vehicle.
“Human smugglers are heinous individuals who profit from smuggling undocumented migrants without prejudice and with a clear disregard of whether the people on whom they prey end up paying the final price,” said Frank B. Burrola, special agent in charge of HSI El Paso. “Homeland Security Investigations is laser focused on ensuring human smugglers face the consequences of their reprehensible actions.”
The is an HSI El Paso-led investigation.
HSI El Paso continues to work vigorously to address the serious public safety threat posed by human smugglers and their inhumane disregard for the health and safety of the people whom they exploit. Members of the public who have information about this case, or any smuggling activity, are urged to call 1-866-347-2423 toll-free, or internationally at 001-1802-872-6199, or complete the online tip form.
HSI is the principal investigative arm of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), responsible for investigating transnational crime and threats, specifically those criminal organizations that exploit the global infrastructure through which international trade, travel, and finance move. HSI’s workforce of over 10,400 employees consists of more than 7,100 special agents assigned to 220 cities throughout the United States, and 80 overseas locations in 53 countries. HSI’s international presence represents DHS’s largest investigative law enforcement presence abroad and one of the largest international footprints in U.S. law enforcement.
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