(NewsNation) — A man involved in the smuggling operation that led to the deaths of 53 migrants in a tractor-trailer in Texas last year pleaded guilty to smuggling charges today.

Christian Martinez, a 29-year-old from Palestine, Texas, pleaded guilty to several counts, including one count of Conspiracy to Transport Illegal Aliens Resulting in Death.

Federal prosecutors alleged Martinez and others were involved in a scheme to illegally transport migrants across the border that involved packing them into a big rig.

Fifty-three migrants lost their lives in that tractor-trailer last summer. They were locked inside and lacked access to either water or air conditioning. Their deaths constituted perhaps the nation’s deadliest human smuggling event ever.

Martinez is scheduled to be sentenced Jan. 4 and could face up to life in prison.

Several other people have been charged with crimes related to the incident, but Martinez is the first to plead guilty.