Mercedes man accused of picking up excavator used to bury victim's remains

4 months ago 160

SAN JUAN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A Mercedes man has been jailed in connection to an ongoing San Juan murder investigation.

Alejandro Cantu, 28, was arrested on Wednesday a charge of tampering with physical evidence with intent to impair a human corpse, according to Hidalgo County Jail records.

A news release from the sheriff's office stated that Cantu was arrested in connection to the killing of Juan Carlos Hernandez De Leon.

As previously reported on ValleyCentral, authorities discovered Hernandez De Leon's body buried in a barrel at a residence on the 4600 block of Wisconsin Road in rural Edinburg.

Investigators learned that Cantu was seen picking up the excavator that was used to bury the barrel that contained the victim's remains. According to the release, Cantu knew the body was inside the barrel.

Cantu is now the third person arrested in connection to Hernandez De Leon's death, along with Jesus Grijalva and Samuel Uvalle Sr. who were arraigned on charges of murder.

Records show that Cantu was booked into the Hidalgo County Jail Wednesday, and his bond was set at $1 million. Grijalva and Uvalle Sr were both issued bonds of $5 million.

ValleyCentral reported that Uvalle Sr.'s son, Samuel Uvalle Jr. was arrested by Border Patrol on charges of harboring migrants.

A probable cause affidavit alleges that Grijalva got into an argument, and he and Uvalle Sr. began assaulting Hernandez De Leon with a hammer. For the full details available on the affidavit, click here.

A fourth suspect, 35-year-old Roberto Salas of Mission, remains wanted on an active warrant for murder, authorities said.