The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department in California recently reported a chilling discovery in the Mojave Desert, near El Mirage.
Authorities responded to a welfare check off Highway 395 on Tuesday evening, January 23, 2024, around 8:15 p.m. This action was prompted by an anonymous call received by the department.
The caller, who was speaking Spanish, reported being shot but did not share his location before abruptly ending the call. Law enforcement traced the call and later identified the caller as one of the deceased individuals found at the scene.
Upon arrival, deputies discovered five bodies in a remote area of the desert. The sight was so shocking that local news outlets decided to blur aerial images taken from helicopters.
Mara Rodriguez, a spokesperson for the Sheriff’s Department, announced at a press conference that initially five bodies were found. However, a subsequent in-depth search led to the finding of a sixth body the next day.
Three of the individuals who perished in the incident have been identified publicly. They are Baldemar Mondragon-Albarran, 34, from Adelanto, California; Franklin Noel Bonilla, 22, from Hesperia, California; and Kevin Dariel Bonilla, 25, also from Hesperia. It is believed that Franklin Bonilla was the 911 caller.
Another victim, a 45-year-old male, remains unidentified pending notification of next of kin. The identification process is still underway for the remaining two victims.
The investigation, led by the department’s specialized investigations division, continues. On Monday, January 29, it was announced that authorities have arrested five individuals, who are currently being held without bail. The motive is speculated to be linked to a dispute over marijuana.
The suspects are five men in their 20s and 30s, all hailing from the Inland Empire region:
- Toniel Baez-Duarte, 34, from Apple Valley.
- Mateo Baez-Duarte, 24, also from Apple Valley.
- Jose Nicolas Hernandez-Sarabia, 33, from Adelanto.
- Jose Gregorio Hernandez-Sarabia, 34, also from Adelanto.
- Jose Manuel Burgos Parra, 26, also a resident of Adelanto.
The bodies were discovered near two vehicles – a white minivan and a dark blue SUV. Both vehicles bore evidence of gunfire, with one having windows shattered. It was observed that three of the bodies had been set on fire.
The authorities are working to establish whether the victims were shot at the location or if their bodies were brought there post-incident. The Sheriff’s Department is calling on the public for any information that could assist in the investigation.
Public information officer Gloria Huerta emphasized the challenges of conducting investigations in such expansive and remote desert regions.
The incident has raised security concerns in these isolated areas. Sheriff Shannon Dicus noted that the county area has become infamous for its links to the illegal marijuana trade. Law enforcement has responded with numerous arrests in this region.
In the past year, the department has been focused on tackling illegal marijuana cultivation in the county. They have executed 411 search warrants to investigate and shut down these unlawful operations. These efforts resulted in the discovery and dismantling of 14 labs involved in producing honey oil. During these operations, they seized around 655,000 marijuana plants and 74,000 pounds of processed marijuana, amounting to confiscated contraband worth $370 million.
Regarding the specific location of the murders, authorities executed 11 search warrants in their quest to find the perpetrators. An additional 40 search warrants were carried out in the nearby area known as Shadow Mountain.
After marijuana was decriminalized by California voters, Sheriff Dicus has observed an increase in illegal activities associated with the drug, often involving organized criminals.
El Mirage, California, known for its scenic solitude and located approximately 50 miles northeast of Los Angeles, is not typically the scene of such alarming incidents.
