Woman's murder in Illinois: Judge sets Mexican illegal free; ICE arrests him back
A Mexican national accused of decapitating a missing Illinois woman and hiding her body in a bleach-filled container was re-arrested by US immigration authorities on Saturday (local time) in Chicago, months after he was released from custody despite facing serious charges.
Jose Luis Mendoza-Gonzalez, a 52-year-old resident of Waukegan, Illinois, was first arrested in April after police discovered the body of 37-year-old Megan Bos in a container in his backyard. He was charged with concealing a corpse, abusing a corpse and obstruction of justice, according to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
However, shortly after his first court appearance, Lake County Judge Randie Bruno released Mendoza-Gonzalez under the provisions of Illinois' Safety, Accountability, Fairness and Equity-Today (SAFE-T) Act.
The decision drew sharp criticism from public officials who questioned the release of someone accused of such a heinous crime.
On Saturday, Mendoza-Gonzalez was taken back into custody by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents at a market in Chicago. He now remains in ICE detention, DHS confirmed.
The body of Megan Bos, who had been reported missing on March 9, was found in April. According to her family, she was last seen in February.
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Investigators allege that Mendoza-Gonzalez kept Bos's body in his basement for two days before moving it to the yard, where it remained concealed for nearly two months.
DHS officials said that Bos had been decapitated and her remains were found inside a container filled with bleach.
"It is absolutely repulsive this monster walked free on Illinois' streets after allegedly committing such a heinous crime," a DHS spokesperson said.
"Megan Bos and her family will have justice," as reported by Fox News.
After Mendoza-Gonzalez's release in April, Antioch Mayor Scott Gartner criticized the laws that allowed the suspect's release.
"I was shocked to find out literally the next day that the person that they had arrested for this had been released from prison under the SAFE-T Act less than, detained less, I think, than 48 hours," Gartner said.
Gartner emphasized that there are several other serious factors in this case, including the nature of the crime, how long it was hidden, and the fact that the suspect is not a US citizen and could potentially flee the country.
Mendoza-Gonzalez reportedly told authorities that Bos had overdosed at his home. Instead of calling 911, he allegedly broke her phone and kept her body in the basement for two days before moving it outside.
Republican State Representative Tom Weber also expressed his concern about Mendoza-Gonzalez's release in April.
"Someone that hid their body in a garbage can for 51 days after leaving it in the basement for two days, after not calling 911 [and] breaking a phone. Is this a non-detainable offense?" Weber said. "Should we not find out, wait for a toxicology report, anything?"
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