Thread: Four Guatemalan nationals arrested in Erie County | Elvis Santos

Four Guatemalan nationals arrested in Erie County in connection to New Mexico murder case

https://www.13abc.com/2026/01/10/fou...o-murder-case/

Four Guatemalan nationals wanted in connection with a murder in New Mexico were arrested Thursday at a Milan Township-area motel.By Gerald Harris

Published: Jan. 9, 2026 at 8:12 PM PST

ERIE Co., Ohio (WTVG) - Four Guatemalan nationals wanted in connection with a murder in New Mexico were arrested Thursday at a Milan Township-area motel by Erie County Sheriff’s deputies.
Erie County Sheriff Paul Sigsworth said his department was contacted Thursday morning by the Lea County Sheriff’s Office in New Mexico about suspects who had fled their jurisdiction after a murder that occurred on New Year’s Day.

“Lea County did an outstanding job; of course, they had the investigation; they also had the warrants for the individuals, and they had the approximate location where they may be, and they were spot on,” Sigsworth said.

When local authorities tracked the suspects to that Milan Township-area motel, deputies spotted a car occupied by the suspects as the group left the motel parking lot and stopped the vehicle.

“By both the detectives and uniformed deputies, there were a total of four occupants in the car,” Sigsworth said.

Elman Franco, 26, of Tatum, New Mexico, is charged through the state of New Mexico with murder, robbery, intimidation or retaliation against a witness, kidnapping and tampering with evidence.

His brother, Elder Franco, 30, of an unknown address in New Mexico, is charged with the same offenses.

Maylina Santos, 28, of an unknown address, is charged with tampering with evidence and is an acquaintance of one of the brothers.

Manuel Morales, 46, of Clovis, New Mexico, is charged locally through Erie County with three counts of obstructing justice, each a third-degree felony.

All four suspects are Guatemalan nationals who are illegally in the United States, according to Sigsworth. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has placed detainers on all four individuals.

The suspects face charges for the New Year’s Day fatal stabbing of 23-year-old Elvis Santos of Tatum, New Mexico.

Investigators said they don’t believe there is a connection between the suspects and Erie County. Sigsworth said he believes the group was traveling on the turnpike.

“And we believe they may have been en route back to get on the pike when they were stopped,” Sigsworth said.

Morales is scheduled to be arraigned at 9 a.m. Monday in Erie County Municipal Court.

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