Friday, September 18, 2009
Father, son arrested in killing of illegal immigrant smuggler
2 accused of killing 'coyote' and injuring another in Santa Ana, according to authorities.
By DENISSE SALAZAR

Comments 52| Recommend 4

SANTA ANA - A father and his son have been charged with the shooting death of a man and attempting to kill another during what officials describe as a human trafficking exchange nearly a decade ago.

Manuel Hernandez Juarez, 58, and Huber Juarez Vasquez, who will turn 37 years old on Saturday, are both charged with one felony count of murder, one felony count of attempted murder with premeditation and deliberation and a sentencing enhancement, and a sentencing enhancement for both charges for the personal discharge of a firearm causing death or injury, said Orange County district attorney spokeswoman Susan Schroeder.

If convicted, both face a maximum sentence of 67 years to life in state prison.

Juarez was arrested Wednesday when he was released from Kern County federal prison after serving a sentence on unrelated charges. He was going to be deported upon his release. Juarez is being held at the Orange County Jail in lieu of $1 million bail, Schroeder said.

A court date for Juarez has not yet been determined.

Vasquez was arrested the same day while in custody in Oregon on an unrelated driving under the influence charge. An extradition hearing will be held before he can be brought back to Orange County, said Santa Ana police Cmdr. Tammy Franks.

On April 6, 2000, at a Burger King at 1241 W. 17th St. in Santa Ana, Juarez was meeting the coyotes who had smuggled his son and other undocumented immigrants into the United States from Mexico in exchange for money, according to officials.

"The father had made arrangements to meet the coyotes and did not want to pay the money," Franks said.

Vasquez was expected to pay $1,400, Schroeder said, but instead he showed up with two guns and gave one of the guns to his son.

Juarez is accused of shooting and murdering Victor Camacho. Vasquez is accused of attempting to murder Jose Luz Garcia, who was shot in the abdomen but survived, Schroeder said.

Juarez was arrested by Santa Ana detectives after the shootings occurred, but charges were not filed. He was released pending additional investigation.

Detectives continued to work on the case and gathered additional evidence, including fingerprint analysis and witness interviews, which tied Juarez and Vasquez to the crime, Franks said.

"We don't see a lot of homicides related to illegal smuggling operations in Santa Ana," Franks said.

Contact the writer: desalazar@ocregister.com



http://www.ocregister.com/articles/juar ... der-franks