Mexican judge frees suspect
A Mexican judge ordered the release of a man accused by state authorities accused of illegal fishing and endangering the world’s smallest porpoise.
The Mexican Judiciary Council said in a press release a federal judge out of Almoloya de Juárez — where a maximum security federal prison is located — presided over the second part of a hearing related to the arrest of an unidentified individual in San Felipe on Sept. 13.
The individual was identified by the state Department of Public Safety as Omar “Doe,” who according to preliminary reports was apprehended at 6:50 a.m. near the San Felipe Highway in the El Dorado Ranch area.
State police troopers said the suspect was arrested after they observed two vehicles where three individuals were found in alleged possession of four rifles and three handguns, as well as 53.6 grams of methamphetamine.
However, the judge decided to release the suspects and drop the charges after the defense showed the individuals were actually arrested three hours earlier in a private residence, where attorneys found signs of military-like boots and damage to the doors.
Five witnesses told the judge that several armed men entered the residence by breaking the doors and striking people at the home, including the wife of one of the suspects and a baby. A report about the incident was made at the emergency center.
The defense also turned over videos of the woman asking for help.
The suspect, who was identified as Oscar “Doe,” aka “Parra,” was apprehended along with two of his lieutenants.
According to authorities, the arrest was made after months of investigation. The suspect’s accomplices were identified as Carlos Eduardo “Doe” and Edgar Alejandro “Doe,” no ages reported.
The agency reported the suspects were found in possession of three AR-15 rifles, an AK-47 rifle, three .45-caliber handguns, four vests, five communications radios, 350 cartridges of high-caliber ammunition, 125 rounds for handguns, seven magazines and 50 grams of methamphetamine.
According to the report, Parra has been wanted for homicide since Jan. 11 and has been presumably involved in trafficking of drugs and banned totoaba fish in San Felipe. He is believed to have ties with the Sinaloa Cartel.