Texas Human Trafficking Case Latest: What To Know

SAN ANTONIO, TX — A horrific human trafficking case in Texas ended in tragedy as 10 immigrants found in the back of a trailer with broken air conditioning died and several others remain hospitalized. At least eight of the immigrants were found dead in the back of the truck and two others died at the hospital, raising the death toll to 10.

Federal authorities have charged a Florida man in connection with the case. A criminal complaint was filed in San Antonio federal court on Monday, and the man being held, James Bradley Jr., 60, of Clearwater, Florida, is expected to make his first court appearance late Monday morning, the DOJ said. (For more on this story and other local news, subscribe to the San Antonio Patch.)

Here's what we know and don't know about the case:

Death Toll Rises To 10

As of Monday morning, it was reported that 10 immigrants found in the truck had died. When local police and fire officials arrived on scene, they found eight people dead inside the truck. The Department of Justice for the Western District of Texas later said nine people were dead. On Monday morning, the DOJ said a 10th victim died overnight at the hospital. All of the deceased are adult males.

Driver Charged

Bradley is facing one count of transporting illegal aliens, United States Attorney Richard L. Durbin Jr. and U. S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Special Agent in Charge Shane Folden announced in a press release. If convicted, Bradley faces life imprisonment or death, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Federal authorities allege Bradley claimed he did not know there were people in the back of the truck and said he only found them when he exited the vehicle to relieve himself.

How Many People Were Found In Truck

The Department of Justice said a total of 39 people were found in the truck, 38 of them inside while an additional person was found in a wooded area nearby. Thomas Homan, acting director of ICE, told The Associated Press that there may have been more than 100 people inside the truck. At a press conference early Sunday, San Antonio Police Chief William McManus said video showed that a number of cars arrived at the parking lot Saturday and picked up people from the truck.

How Hot Was It Inside The Truck?

Durbin said in a statement that the South Texas heat is "punishing" this time of the year.

"These people were helpless in the hands of their transporters," Durbin said. "Imagine their suffering, trapped in a stifling trailer in 100-plus degree heat."

Temperatures in San Antonio reached over 100 degrees on Saturday.

How Rare Are Human Trafficking Cases?

The Associated Press reports that the Border Patrol has reported at least four truck seizures in and around Laredo, Texas, this month. Another tragic case in the U.S. happened in May 2003 when 19 immigrants locked inside a rig died in Victoria, Texas, according to the AP.

Watch: At Least 9 Found Dead Inside Hot Tractor-Trailer In San Antonio

Photo: San Antonio police officers investigate the scene where eight people were found dead in a tractor-trailer loaded with at least 30 others outside a Walmart store in stifling summer heat in what police are calling a horrific human trafficking case, Sunday, July 23, 2017, in San Antonio. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)