Five suspects arrested in connection with killing six men near Adelanto
Five men were arrested in connection with the fatal shooting of six men in an unincorporated area of Adelanto, San Bernardino County Sheriff’s officials announced.
During a press conference on Monday, Sheriff Shannon Dicus said “Illicit marijuana was the guiding force behind these murders.”
Sheriff’s officials identified the suspects as:
Toniel Baez-Duarte, 34, of Apple Valley
Mateo Baez-Duarte, 24, of Apple Valley
Jose Nicolas Hernandez-Sarabia, 33, of Adelanto
Jose Gregorio Hernandez-Sarabia, 34, of Adelanto
Jose Manuel-Burgos Parra, 26, of Adelanto
Sergeant Michael Warrick, with the sheriff's Specialized Investigations Division's Homicide Detail, stated that apprehension of the suspects came through extensive investigation.
"On Sunday, January 28, 2024, we were able to search multiple search warrants in the town of Apple Valley, Adelanto and the Los Angeles County area of Pinon Hills," Warrick said.
Sheriff’s officials said they don't believe there are additional suspects. Investigators recovered eight firearms, which are being tested to see if they match the weapons.
Six victims were identified as:
Baldemar Mondragon-Albarran, 34, of Adelanto
Franklin Noel Bonilla, 22, of Hesperia
Kevin Dariel Bonilla, 25, of Hesperia
A 45-year-old Hispanic man. The release of his identity is pending notification of his family.
Two unidentified Hispanic men
The shooting
At 8:16 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 23, Franklin Bonilla spoke Spanish as he told sheriff’s dispatch that he had been shot near Adelanto.
Unable to give his exact location, dispatchers pinpointed Bonilla’s call in Lessing Avenue and Shadow Mountain Road.
A California Highway Patrol helicopter was used to locate the bodies of five dead men. They discovered Franklin Bonilla’s body nearby.
Homicide detectives said the men had been shot. Four of the victims were partially burned, sheriff's officials said.
Investigators believe the victims had arranged to meet at the location for a marijuana transaction. The five suspects arrived at the location and, for reasons still under investigation, allegedly shot the six victims.
Multiple search warrants were served during the investigation, sheriff's officials said. Several firearms were seized, and additional evidence was found, authorities said.
On Sunday, the suspects were arrested and booked into jail on suspicion of murder and are being held without bail.
Sheriff blames Prop. 64
During the press conference, Dicus claimed that the passing of Prop. 64 has led to a rapidly increasing illicit marijuana market.
“The reality is Proposition 64 took illicit marijuana and moved it from a felony to a misdemeanor,” Dicus said. “The reality of this is by allowing that, we have unleashed a plague here in California. The plague is the black market or marijuana and certainly cartel activity.”
Sgt. Warrick did not mention if the incident was connected to a cross-border drug trade, or was “cartel related.”
On Nov. 8, 2016, California voters passed Prop—64, which legalized the non-medical use of cannabis by adults 21 and older.
Dicus explained that the Shadow Mountain area, just west of the murder site, is known for illegal marijuana activity.
Anyone with information about this case is asked to contact Detective Michelle Del Rio with the specialized investigations division at 909-890-4904. Callers can remain anonymous by contacting We-Tip at 800-78CRIME or wetip.com.
This story is developing and will be updated as more information becomes available.
This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: Five suspects arrested in connection with murders near Adelanto
