Cellphone video shows San Juan murder suspects burying barrel with victim's body: docs

SAN JUAN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Authorities discovered a cellphone video showing two murder suspects burying a barrel that contained a man's remains with an excavator, documents revealed.

Jesus Grijalva Jr. and Monica Gomez are two of four suspects facing murder charges in connection to the death of Juan Carlos Hernandez De Leon. Samuel Uvalle Jr. was also arrested on a charge of murder, and Roberto Salas remains at large.

A probable cause affidavit stated that Uvalle Sr. got into an argument with Hernandez De Leon, and he and Grijalva began assaulting him with a hammer. Salas and Gomez then joined in on the assault, the document stated.

A witness told authorities that the three men then put Hernandez De Leon's body in a barrel and went to a property at 4610 E. Wisconsin Road, where the body was buried. On May 15, law enforcement conducted a search warrant and found the barrel containing the victim's remains.

Investigators searched Grijalva's phone, which showed a video of Gomez at the property helping Grijalva with an excavator burying the barrel with Hernandez De Leon's body inside, the affidavit stated.

Snider and another man, Alejandro Cantu, were charged with tampering with physical evidence in connection to the case. Cantu was allegedly seen picking up the excavator that was used to bury the barrel.

Additionally, Uvalle Sr.'s son, Samuel Uvalle Jr., was arrested on federal charges of harboring migrants. One of the migrants told investigators that Uvalle Jr. told the group his father was wanted for murder and they had to leave because everything was "screwed," a criminal complaint stated.

Salas remains wanted on a active warrant for murder and those with information are asked to contact the Hidalgo County Crime Stoppers at (956) 668-TIPS.