Alleged cartel boss arrested in 2019 massacre of three Mormon mothers, six children
A suspect authorities believe to be the head of a violent drug cartel in Mexico has been arrested in connection with the brutal slaughter of three Mormon mothers and six children.
Roberto González Montes — also known as “El32 or “El Mudo,” which means “Mute” —was taken into custody amid a massive multi-agency investigation into the massacre, which unfolded in the northern Mexican province of Chihuahua in November 2019, sources told El Diario on Monday. He was recently arrested along with several other alleged cartel members though it is unclear when.
The secretary of state for public security, Emilio García Ruiz, confirmed to news outlet Entrelineas that Montes has already been transported Mexico City, where he is awaiting formal charges.
The nine victims of the deadly ambush each held dual U.S. and Mexican citizenship and belonged to a fundamentalist Mormon colony called La Mora, which is not affiliated with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Their caravan of SUVs came under fire as they traveled near the U.S.-Mexico border, from their compound in Sonora to a wedding in Chihuahua.
They have since been identified as 30-year-old Rhonita Miller LeBaron, her 13-year-old son, her 11-year-old daughter, and 8-month old twins. Christina and Dawna Langford, 43, and two of Dawna’s children, age 11 and 3 were also among those killed.
The bloody massacre came amid an alleged turf war between Montes’ La Línea and its rival Sinaloa Cartel, previously headed by Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman.
