Houston, Texas Man Sentenced to 35 Years in Federal Prison After Fatal Human Smuggling Operation

By Jose G. Landa, Copyright 2026 Eagle Pass Business Journal, Inc.

DEL RIO, Texas — A Houston, Texas man has been sentenced to 35 years in federal prison for his role in a human smuggling operation that resulted in the deaths of two migrants, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Texas.

Roland Heith Martinez, 26, was sentenced in federal court in Del Rio, Texas after previously pleading guilty to one count of conspiracy to transport undocumented migrants resulting in death.

According to federal court documents, Martinez was identified by authorities as an active member of the Guzman Transnational Criminal Organization from May 2021 until his arrest on unrelated federal drug trafficking charges in January 2023.

Federal authorities said the organization operated in Texas, Oklahoma, Alabama, Louisiana and Mexico and was directly connected to the Cartel de Jalisco Nueva Generación, commonly known as CJNG.

Prosecutors said Martinez played a significant role in financing and coordinating human smuggling operations.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Martinez sent more than $54,000 to multiple smugglers through at least 368 money transfers and Cash App payments.

Martinez also allegedly recruited additional drivers for future smuggling operations.
One of those operations ended tragically on August 7, 2022, when a vehicle involved in a smuggling attempt crashed in Kimble County.

Two migrants were killed in the crash along with the driver of the vehicle, who was a U.S. citizen.
Martinez later pleaded guilty on June 30, 2025.

U.S. Attorney Justin R. Simmons said the investigation showed Martinez’s involvement extended beyond simply arranging transportation.
“Martinez was heavily involved in the operations of the Guzman Transnational Criminal Organization, not only facilitating tens of thousands of dollars in smuggling funds, but managing stash houses and dealing firearms as well,” Simmons said.

Federal officials said the investigation also uncovered evidence of violence associated with the organization, including murder, attempted murder, aggravated kidnapping, home invasion and arson.

U.S. District Chief Judge Alia Moses ordered Martinez to serve the 35-year sentence consecutively to a 140-month sentence he received in 2023 in the Southern District of Texas on federal drug trafficking charges.

The consecutive sentences mean Martinez faces a combined federal prison term of approximately 46 years and eight months.

Homeland Security Investigations investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brett Miner prosecuted the case.
The prosecution comes as federal authorities throughout the Western District of Texas continue targeting organized human smuggling operations and transnational criminal organizations operating along the Texas-Mexico border and elsewhere across the state.