Latest news with #JakeRobinson
ABC News
5 hours ago
- ABC News
Jake and Callum Robinson's accused killers linked to Mexican cartel, court document says
Two men charged with the murders of Australian brothers Jake and Callum Robinson in Mexico have been transferred to a maximum-security prison due to their alleged ties to organised crime, court documents have revealed. In the coming hours, a Mexican court is expected to hear more details about the high-profile murder case, in which the surfers from Perth and their American friend, Carter Rhoad, were killed at their campsite while on a road trip in remote northern Mexico. The men were shot dead in Baja California, a state of Mexico known for violent cartel activity that often targets innocent victims. It prompted early speculation about criminal cartel involvement. Local authorities said they believed it was a robbery gone wrong and there was no evidence of cartel links. But documents published by the court reveal for the first time that two of the accused killers have alleged links to the notoriously violent Sinaloa cartel, which earlier this year was designated a terror group by the Trump administration. According to an appeals court decision from last year, the two men — Jesús Gerardo and Irineo Francisco — were moved from a local prison in the city of Ensenada to "El Hongo" a high-security desert facility more than 100 kilometres away. The transfer was ordered last August after the court found the men "require special security measures given that penitentiary authorities have identified them as members of criminal groups affiliated with the Sinaloa Cartel". One of the defendants had "claimed within the detention centre population that he can escape confinement at any time he chooses, in addition to participating in the use of prohibited substances on behalf of the gang known as 'Los Paisas'", the documents say. Lawyers for the accused opposed the transfer, but two courts upheld the decision. The documents said both courts were satisfied that the men had connections to criminal groups operating in service of the cartel. The courts also accepted evidence from prison authorities that the men posed a significant security and governance risk at the Ensenada facility. The court of appeals noted that both men had "high criminal capacity, high aggressiveness, emotional detachment, high egocentricity, and marked emotional instability". The appeals court decision was released online through the Baja California court's transparency process. Although the names were blacked out, the ABC was able to identify the suspects in a section of the document that was not properly redacted. The men's surnames have been withheld under Mexican legal conventions. Jake Robinson, a 31-year-old doctor, was due to start a job at Geelong Hospital after visiting his brother Callum, 32, who had been living in the US for 12 years. They were reported missing in late April while travelling with Carter Rhoad, 33, after losing contact with their family in Australia and failing to check into their Airbnb. Search teams discovered their bodies several days later. Local authorities initially said there was no evidence of a cartel connection and did not publicly identify the suspects as gang members. The newly released court documents are the first to officially link two of the accused to organised crime. This supports the theory of former Ensenada police director Jesús Luna Lezama, who previously told the ABC the murders bore "the hallmarks of organised crime". Lead prosecutor Miguel Ángel Gaxiola Rodríguez maintains that the alleged killers' primary motive was to steal the tyres from the victims' vehicle. However, in a new interview ahead of today's court hearing, Mr Lezama said he continued to believe that the brutality of the crimes suggested gang involvement. "What started as a minor crime — car theft — turned into forced disappearance and the murder of three people, in a way that closely resembles the behaviour of organised crime groups," he told the ABC. Investigators said all three victims were executed with a single gunshot to the head before their bodies were dumped in a well, where the body of a local farmer was also found. The brothers' burnt-out car was dumped on a ranch, with its tyres missing. Their campsite was also burnt out. "It could have been an isolated incident, not necessarily directed by cartel leadership," Mr Lezama said. "These groups often avoid drawing attention from authorities." He suggests federal authorities should consider taking over the investigation. "Given the suspects' cartel ties, federal oversight may be warranted — not just local judges, but federal ones," he said. "That's why it's important they remain in federal detention centres." The two men, along with co-accused Ángel Jesús, face charges of aggravated homicide, aggravated robbery, violent robbery, grand theft auto, and forced disappearance. A fourth defendant, Ari Gisell, faces the same charges except for forced disappearance. A court previously heard that Jesús Gerardo, also known as "El Kekas", visited Ari Gisell, his then-girlfriend, shortly after the killings. He allegedly told her: "I f****ed up three gringos." Today, two separate hearings will be held at the Ensenada courthouse — one for the three men accused of forced disappearance, and another for all four defendants. Prosecutors are expected to present more details about the case and the sentences they're seeking. The trial date remains unclear. The US government considers the Sinaloa cartel and its rival, the Cartel Jalisco Nueva Generación, to be the two largest and most dangerous in Mexico. A US Drug Enforcement Administration threat assessment report last year said: "They are not just drug manufacturers and traffickers; they are organised crime groups, involved in arms trafficking, money laundering, migrant smuggling, sex trafficking, bribery, extortion, and a host of other crimes. Zulia Orozco, an organised crime researcher at Baja California State University, said the Sinaloa Cartel had expanded its influence dramatically over the past two decades using "very violent techniques". She doubts the cartel directly ordered the Australians' killings. "Organised crime usually avoids targeting foreigners to prevent media attention," she said. Still, she said, the cartel continues to terrorise local communities in what she describes as a "lawless" region: "The community is essentially on its own, without support from security forces." Mr Lezama said the killings had a lasting impact on Baja California's surfing community. "It's still a topic of conversation," he said. "Especially among surfers and frequent visitors, who now travel with greater caution — particularly to remote or isolated areas." — with ABC NEWS Verify's Matt Martino and Phoebe Hosier in Washington DC
Daily Mail
5 days ago
- Daily Mail
Mexican officials reveal major update after two Aussie brothers and their American friend were 'gunned down' while on surfing trip
Another person has been charged over the alleged shooting death of two Australian brothers and their American friend while on a surfing trip in Mexico. Callum and Jake Robinson, from Perth, and their friend Jack Carter Rhoad, from San Diego, were on a surfing trip in Mexican state of Baja California when they were reported missing on April 27 last year. Their bodies were found a few days later on May 3 at the bottom of a well alongside a fourth body not directly linked to the case, reportedly that of a local rancher. Investigators previously said the three men were shot in the back of the head at their remote campsite with a single bullet each and that it appeared to be a robbery. Three locals were arrested last year and now Mexican prosecutors have revealed a fourth person - Irineo Francisco - has been arrested. Prosecutor Miguel Ángel Gaxiola Rodríguez also confirmed that his office had backed up the robbery theory and added there was no evidence of involvement from Mexico's notorious drug cartels. Irineo Francisco will join Jesús Gerardo, Ari Gisell, and Ángel Jesús - all of who have had their surnames suppressed - in court charged with the killings. Jake Robinson was a talented lacrosse player living in the US, while Callum was a doctor who had taken a trip to visit his brother, and Mr Rhoad was employed at a technology services company and was set to marry his fiancé in August last year. Mr Gaxiola Rodríguez has said the state had a strong case against the four alleged killers. 'We have compelling evidence, including witness statements, and we have found the vehicle,' he said. 'The objective is to ensure that the accused are brought to trial and convicted of the homicide and robbery.' Ms Gisell was the first alleged killer to be arrested on May 1 when she was pulled over for a routine traffic stop. She reportedly threw 100g of meth on the ground and tried to flee officers. After searching the vehicle, officers found an iPhone belonging to Mr Rhoad. She turned in Mr Gerado and told officers he had told her: 'I f***ed up three gringos.' Ms Gisell also turned in one of the other accused killers. The three men are looking at charges of aggravated homicide, aggravated robbery, violent robbery, grand theft auto and forced disappearance. Ms Gisell faces the same charges except forced disappearance. Three wooden statues have been installed overlooking the North Baja coast to commemorate the Perth brothers and their American friend. The Callum and Jake Robinson Foundation wrote on social media that the 'unveiling ceremony brought together surfers, representatives from the Australian embassy and the Baja California governor's office. 'After a few words were shared, the community honoured the boys with a traditional paddle out. 'We are deeply grateful for the continued love, remembrance, and support from around the world.'
News.com.au
5 days ago
- News.com.au
Fourth person charged with murder of Aussie surfers Callum and Jake Robinson in Mexico
A fourth person has been charged with the alleged killings of two Australian surfers and their American friend in three allegedly execution-style murders in Mexico. The ABC reports that Irineo Francisco is the latest to be named and charged for the killings of Perth brothers Callum and Jake Robinson and American Jack Carter Rhoad on a surfing trip in Mexico's Baja California. Mr Francisco joins fellow co-accused Jesús Gerardo, Ari Gisell, and Ángel Jesús, whose surnames are under suppression. The ABC spoke to prosecutor Miguel Ángel Gaxiola Rodríguez, who said that the four alleged killers had attempted to rob the trio, having found foreigners in an isolated location, and there was no evidence of cartel involvement. Prosecutors will allege the incident was a robbery-gone wrong. Mr Gaxiola Rodríguez told the ABC that the state had a strong case. 'We have compelling evidence, including witness statements, and we have found the vehicle,' she said. 'The objective is to ensure that the accused are brought to trial and convicted of the homicide and robbery.' The Robinson brothers were on a surfing trip in Mexico in April last year with Mr Rhoad, but were reported missing on April 27. Their bodies were found at the bottom of a well on May 3 in which investigators also found another body, unrelated to the case. Investigators said that all three men were shot in the back of the head with a single bullet. The first arrest was made on May 1 when Ari Gisell was pulled over for a routine traffic stop. She reportedly threw 100g of meth on the ground and attempted to flee, and up on searching the vehicle officers found a iPhone belonging to Mr Rhoad and more narcotics. She then turned in two of the men including Jesús Gerardo, who she said had told her: 'I f*cked up three gringos.' All three men faces charges of aggravated homicide, aggravated robbery, violent robbery, grand theft auto and forced disappearance. Ari Gisell faces all the same charges except forced disappearance. Three wooden statues have been installed six weeks ago overlooking the Northern Baja coast in memory of the three men. The Callum and Jake Robinson Foundation posted on social media about the unveiling, saying the statues honour lives that 'continue to inspire'. 'Yesterday's unveiling ceremony brought together surfers, representatives from the Australian embassy and the Baja California governor's office. ' After a few words were shared, the community honoured the boys with a traditional paddle out. 'We are deeply grateful for the continued love, remembrance, and support from around the world.'
ABC News
6 days ago
- ABC News
Prosecutors prepare case against accused killers of Australian brothers Jake and Callum Robinson
The Mexican prosecutor leading the case against the suspected murderers of Australian surfers Jake and Callum Robinson says there is still no evidence of cartel involvement. Instead, Miguel Ángel Gaxiola Rodríguez maintains the primary motive for the brutal slayings was to steal the tyres off the vehicle the brothers were travelling in with their American friend, Carter Rhoad. Four people have now been charged with the murders of the three men in a remote part of northern Mexico in April last year. Jesús Gerardo, known as "El Kekas", his then-girlfriend Ari Gisell, and Ángel Jesús were arrested soon after the killings. Their surnames, not reported here, are suppressed under local laws. The ABC can now also name a fourth defendant, Irineo Francisco, who was arrested later and is set to be tried alongside the trio. Speaking to the ABC ahead of court proceedings next week, Mr Gaxiola Rodríguez confirmed prosecutors would pursue the robbery-gone-wrong theory. "It appears that the perpetrators identified an opportunity for robbery when they encountered the foreigners in a highly isolated location," he said. The former director of the Ensenada Police Department, Jesús Luna Lezama, previously told the ABC the murders had the "hallmarks of organised crime". The murders took place in an area notorious for cartel activity. Investigators say all three men were killed with a single gunshot to the head before their bodies were disposed of in a well. A body unrelated to the case was also discovered in the well. The three men have been charged with aggravated homicide, aggravated robbery, violent robbery, grand theft auto, and forced disappearance. Ari Gisell faces the same charges, minus forced disappearance. Two separate court hearings are scheduled for July 17; one for the three men accused of forced disappearance, the other for all four defendants. It is likely the court will hear what sentences the prosecution is seeking. The maximum sentence for homicide is 60 years. Mr Gaxiola Rodríguez said the state had a strong case. "We have compelling evidence, including witness statements, and we have found the vehicle," he said. "The objective is to ensure that the accused are brought to trial and convicted of the homicide and robbery." Jesús Gerardo was the first suspect to be arrested and charged after the men disappeared while surfing and camping in Mexico's Baja California region. A court heard his then-girlfriend told investigators Jesús Gerardo had told her: "I f****ed up three gringos." In May, a monument composed of wooden statues was installed in Punta San José to commemorate the brothers and their friend. Two of the statues are closer together, while one stands slightly apart. The memorial was unveiled by members of the Baja California Surfers Association in the presence of Rachel Moseley, the Australian ambassador to Mexico. Antonio Otañez, president of the association, said it was created to show support for his fellow surfers from Australia and the US. The same group also organised a protest against violence in the area a year earlier.
9 News
29-04-2025
- 9 News
Parents of Perth surfers killed in Mexico mark anniversary
The parents of Perth brothers Callum and Jake Robinson, who were murdered in Mexican "have good days and bad days," one year on.
