At exactly five thirty this evening, three men were escorted to the Orange Walk Magistrate’s Court for formal arraignment. These men are believed to be part of a criminal gang which kidnapped and murdered seventy-one year old Ramon Cervantes Sr. Since Monday Orange Walk residents have crowded the Magistrate Court surrounds, and despite the lateness of the hour they were there today. Twenty-two year old Noe Gonzalez, twenty-eight year old Mateo Pott and nineteen year old Angel Antonio Cardenas were escorted to court under heavy guard. Inside they were all charged jointly for the murder of Ramon Cervantes Sr., and for keeping an unlicensed twelve gauge shotgun and five unlicensed twelve gauge shells. No plea was taken from the three men and they were remanded to the Belize Central Prison until August thirteenth. The men appeared alone, but the man considered the ringleader of the gang, Manuel Castillo, was named on the charge sheet even though he is currently on the run. Of note is that two Policemen are reportedly detained for involvement in the kidnapping and murder. They were not taken to court this evening.
View the full article