U.S. citizen charged with human smuggling after 17 illegal migrants found in sweltering RV

A U.S. citizen was arrested and charged with human smuggling after 17 illegal migrants were found crammed inside an RV in sweltering Arizona.

The individuals inside the RV were from Mexico and were found Wednesday. Chief patrol agent of Border Patrol's Tucson Sector, Sean L. McGoffin, said the temperatures were incredibly hot.

"This rescue likely prevented a tragedy," he said, according to Fox News. "With summer temperatures already climbing, packing people into trailers and vehicles without proper ventilation or water is a recipe for disaster. Human lives should never be treated as cargo."

The migrants are all safe in custody and are being processed, McGoffin said. 

The U.S. citizen who was arrested and charged with smuggling tried to flee on foot, but agents apprehended him. 

Investigators are still trying to determine if anyone else is involved.

"No recreation happening in this vehicle, instead it was used by smugglers forcing people to hide out in inhumane conditions in sweltering heat," McGoffin said.