Body found near Alton identified as human trafficker

ALTON — Sheriff’s deputies identified a man found dead Friday night as a convicted human trafficker previously deported to Mexico.

Gilberto Rosales Aguilar, 33, was found dead Friday night near the intersection of 11 Mile Line and Texan Road near Alton, sheriff’s deputies said.

Investigators identified Aguilar after comparing his fingerprints with a U.S. Customs and Border Protection database.

Aguilar had been arrested for human trafficking in 2005. He was later convicted on the charges and served 16 months in a federal prison before he was deported to Mexico.

An off-duty peace officer found Aguilar’s body in the road late Friday night.

Hidalgo County Sheriff Lupe Treviño said evidence collected at the scene suggests Aguilar was executed in the middle of the road shortly before the off-duty officer found his body.

“He was obviously taken by force or kidnapped, he was bound and executed right there on the spot,” the sheriff said.

Investigators believe Aguilar re-entered the United States illegally within the past 18 months, Treviño said.

Given his criminal history and since the investigation began Friday night, deputies believe Aguilar likely was killed after a failed drug or human smuggling attempt, Treviño said.

Aguilar had a birthday just one day before he was found dead. Given his appearance, investigators believe he was kidnapped about 12 hours before his suspected execution.

Aguilar’s death marks the second murder investigated in Hidalgo County this year.

“He was clean shaven — his face and head,” the sheriff said. “There was no stubble or anything.”