Federal prosecutors have connected a man, already jailed for a fatal crash in Beckham County, to a large-scale human trafficking operation that smuggled 20,000 migrants.

Authorities say the operation moved migrants from Guatemala through Mexico and into the U.S. One suspect identified Monday was 44-year-old Jose Paxtor-Oxlaj, who has been in custody since a deadly 2023 crash in Elk City.

In a statement released by acting U.S. attorney in Los Angeles Joe McNally, “While transporting illegal immigrants, defendant Jose Paxtor-Oxlaj caused a car accident in Elk City resulting in seven deaths. Three of those victims were minors, including a 4-year-old child.”

Federal prosecutors in California say Paxtor-Oxlaj and three others were part of a smuggling ring out of Guatemala that worked with cartels to bring people into the U.S.

According to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Paxtor-Oxlaj was ordered removed from the U.S. in 2010 and had no legal permission to return. He has remained in custody in Oklahoma since the 2023 crash.