Jose Carmen Cardona, a 59-year-old illegal immigrant who had been deported three times, has been arrested for allegedly setting a house fire in California that killed his girlfriend and her two children. The fire occurred last month, taking the lives of 32-year-old Lisbeth Gutierrez-Salazar and her sons, aged 10 and 7.
Authorities arrested Cardona on Friday, 30 miles from the scene of the crime. He had been dating Gutierrez-Salazar but was not the father of her children. The charges against him include murder, attempted murder, child endangerment, and special circumstances allegations of multiple murders, arson, and torture, which could result in the death penalty.
Lasha Boyden, US Marshal for the Eastern District of California, referred to Cardona as a “violent offender” during a news conference and offered condolences to the victims’ family. “This horrific act of violence was felt by all not just in the Central Valley but across our nation,” Boyden said. “I hope that the capture of this violent offender will bring some sense of justice to you and your loved ones.”
Cardona is being held without bail at the San Joaquin County Jail in French Camp, California, with his arraignment set for Monday. The case has sparked renewed debate over immigration policies and the enforcement of deportation orders.
The tragic deaths of Gutierrez-Salazar and her children have left the community in shock and mourning. The fire, which occurred while the victims were asleep in their mobile home, has raised serious concerns about public safety and the effectiveness of current immigration enforcement measures.
As the investigation continues, many are calling for stricter immigration controls to prevent similar incidents in the future. The case underscores the challenges faced by law enforcement in tracking and apprehending individuals who repeatedly enter the country illegally.
