BROWNSVILLE – The man who prosecutors said helped smuggle a woman through the Brownsville Ship Channel, which ultimately led to her death, is facing up to life in prison.

A jury convicted Galdino Jose Ruiz-Hernandez of Oaxaca, Mexico on human smuggling related charges.

Investigators said in April 2015 Ruiz-Hernandez was in the water trying to guide Patricia Guadalupe Cervantes through the ship channel when a Coast Guard boat hit her.

Cervantes suffered a severed foot and cuts.

A Coast Guard investigation showed her wounds were consistent with the boat’s propeller.