Two women arrested in connection to San Juan murder case

SAN JUAN, Texas (ValleyCental) — Two women were arrested in connection to an ongoing murder investigation in San Juan, authorities said.

On Wednesday, the Hidalgo County Sheriff's Office arrested 41-year-old Monica Victoria Gomez of San Juan, and 39-year-old Jennifer Lane Snider of McAllen, for their roles in the killing of Juan Carlos Hernandez De Leon, a news release stated.

Gomez was charged with murder and tampering with physical evidence. Her bond was set at $4 million. Snider was charged with tampering with physical evidence, and her bond was set at $1 million.

_{From left: Monica Victoria Gomez and Jennifer Jane Snider (Hidalgo County Jail Records)}

As previously reported by ValleyCentral, on May 15, authorities found Hernandez De Leon's body buried in a barrel at a residence on the 4600 block of Wisconsin Road in rural Edinburg.

A probable cause affidavit stated that Samuel Uvalle Sr. got into an argument with the victim, and he and Jesus Grijalva began assaulting Hernandez De Leon with a hammer. Roberto Salas allegedly joined in the assault, the document stated.

Jesus Grijalva (Hidalgo County Jail)

Samuel Uvalle Sr. (Hidalgo County Jail)

Investigators learned that Gomez allegedly participated in the assault, which resulted in Hernandez De Leon's death. Additionally, authorities stated that Gomez and Snider helped dispose of the man's cell phone after he died.

An autopsy showed that Hernandez De Leon suffered blunt force trauma to his head, attributing to his death. A probable cause affidavit provided more details on the alleged killing.

Grijalva and Uvalle Sr. were charged with murder and their bonds were each set at $5 million.

_{Alejandro Cantu (Hidalgo County Jail)}

Last week, authorities announced the arrest of a third individual in connection to the case. Alejandro Cantu, 28, was arrested for allegedly picking up the excavator that was used to bury the barrel that contained the victim's remains. Authorities added that Cantu knew the body was inside the barrel.

Gomez and Snider are now the fourth and fifth suspects arrested in connection to the case. The two women were being held at the Hidalgo County Jail on unrelated charges when the warrants were served.

_{Roberto Salas (Hidalgo County Jail)}

Additionally, Uvalle Sr.'s son, Samuel Uvalle Jr., was arrested on federal charges of harboring migrants, records show.

A sixth suspect, 35-year-old Roberto Salas of Mission, remains at large on an active warrant for murder. Those with information are asked to call the Hidalgo County Crime Stoppers at (956) 668-TIPS.