MERCEDES, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The sixth suspect in connection to a Mercedes murder investigation was arraigned earlier Sunday, authorities say.
Gerson Escobar Orellana, 20, was arraigned by Justice of Peace Jason Pena Pct. 5 on charges of murder and two counts of aggravated kidnapping, a release from Hidalgo County Sheriff’s Office states.
Orellana has a set bond of $1,300,000.
This comes after the arrests and arraignments of five individuals for the murder of 19-year-old Carlos Garcia Ruiz which occurred Feb. 23.
Hidalgo County Sheriffs announced on Thursday, 22-year-old Erik Eduardo Almaraz was formally charged for the murder and two counts of aggravated assault.
According to police, Almaraz was armed with a rifle and had hit one of the kidnapping victims, causing the weapon to go off. The bullet hit and killed Ruiz.
Almaraz’s bond was set at $1,300,000.
Ashley Orozco, Esmeralda Orozco, Rosalba Garcia and Joselyn Lomeli were all charged in connection to the killing with two counts of aggravated kidnapping with deadly weapon.
All four women received a bond of $300,000.
According to previous ValleyCentral reports, the four were formally charged with murder and tampering with evidence prior to Thursday’s arraignment.
