Five Arrested in Connection with Shooting Deaths of Six in California Desert

Jan. 30, 2024 (UPI) — Authorities in California’s San Bernardino County have made significant progress in the investigation of a tragic incident that occurred in the California desert last week. Five suspects have been arrested in connection with the shooting deaths of six individuals following a dispute over narcotics.

The arrests were announced during a press conference held on Monday night, nearly a week after the bodies of the six victims were discovered on a dirt road in the unincorporated area of Adelanto, Calif., located approximately 85 miles northeast of Los Angeles.

Sgt. Michael Warrick of the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Office provided details during the press conference, stating that authorities were initially alerted to the crime by one of the victims, identified as 22-year-old Franklin Noel Bonilla.

According to Warrick, Bonilla called emergency dispatch at approximately 8:16 p.m. PT on January 23, reporting that he had been shot multiple times but was unsure of his exact location.

Thanks to the use of advanced technology, dispatchers were able to track Bonilla’s phone to the area of Lessing Avenue and Shadow Mountain Road. Responding officers arrived at the scene to find multiple gunshot victims and two vehicles, one of which had sustained several gunshot wounds.

Warrick revealed that four of the victims had suffered severe burns, while a fifth victim was found inside a Chevy Trailblazer. The sixth victim was discovered a short distance away from the initial crime scene.

Victim Identities and Motive

Three of the victims have been identified as Baldemar Mondragon-Albarran, 34, Kevin Dariel Bonilla, 25, and Franklin Noel Bonilla. The identities of the two remaining victims are still being determined, while the identity of the sixth victim is being withheld until next of kin have been notified.

Sgt. Warrick stated that the motive behind the killings appears to be narcotics-related. He said, “We are confident that this appears to be a dispute over marijuana, which resulted in the murders.”

During the course of their investigation, authorities discovered that the victims had arranged to meet at the location for an unspecified marijuana transaction, according to a statement released by the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Office.

Arrests and Seizures

On Sunday, all six suspects were apprehended. Law enforcement officials executed multiple search warrants in Apple Valley and Adelanto, leading to the confiscation of eight firearms. These firearms are currently undergoing testing to determine if they match those used in the crime. Additionally, other evidence was seized during the operation.

According to Sgt. Warrick, “We are still conducting follow-up investigations, but we are confident we have arrested all the suspects in this case. They are currently in custody with no bail.”

The suspects have been identified as Toniel Baez-Duarte, 34, Mateo Baez-Duarte, 24, Jose Nicolas Hernandez-Sarabia, 33, Jose Gregorio Hernandez-Sarabia, 34, and Jose Manuel Burgos Parra, 26. They have been booked on charges of murder, as confirmed by the sheriff’s office.

Connection to Organized Crime

Authorities did not explicitly disclose the nature of the marijuana dispute, but Shannon Dicus, sheriff-coroner for San Bernardino County, suggested that the murders may be connected to organized crime in an area known for illicit marijuana activities.

Dicus revealed that in the past 12 months, the region has witnessed 411 search warrants executed for illegal marijuana grow operations. In addition, 14 honey oil labs were discovered, and law enforcement confiscated 655,000 marijuana plants and 74,000 pounds of processed marijuana, along with $370 million in related assets.

Eleven search warrants were executed in the immediate vicinity of the crime scene within the past year, further highlighting the prevalence of illicit marijuana activities in the area.

“It appears that illicit marijuana was the driving force behind this murder,” Dicus stated.

Conclusion

The arrests of the five suspects bring some closure to the investigation into the shooting deaths of six individuals in the California desert. Law enforcement authorities are determined to hold those responsible accountable for their actions. The case serves as a reminder of the dangers associated with illegal drug activities and the need for continued efforts to combat organized crime.