CJNG's "El Patron," Behind the Attack on Journalist Ciro Gómez Leyva, is Arrested in Delano, California

 "Socalj" for Borderland Beat

The FGR reported the capture of Armando Escárcega Valdez, “El Patrón” by the ATF in Delano, California. "El Patron" was arrested in the US based on charges in Mexico for criminal association within the criminal cell that attempted to take the life of journalist Ciro Gómez Leyva, on December 15, 2022.

“Mexican authorities confirm to us that Armando Escárcega, "El Patrón," the alleged leader of the group that made an attempt on my life, was arrested in California. They inform me that they will soon release more details [...] I appreciate the work of the Mexican authorities that led to the arrest of the alleged leader of the group that attempted on my life. Thank you,” wrote Gómez Leyva, on his social network account X.

"El Patrón" crossed the border with the United States last January 2023, according to official investigations, and was seen in Los Gatos, in Santa Clara County, California. Later he would have moved north, to Oregon or Washington; or sought refuge in the east, in Ohio or Pittsburgh; his true location was tough to pin down. Authorities assured that a red notice from Interpol would be requested, which had not yet been issued.

However, he was captured in Delano, California at a family home by ATF agents in conjunction with the DOJ. He is expected to be extradited to Mexico to face the charges against him there. Delano sits along the route from Bakersfield to the Tulare/Fresno area. Traditionally, Delano has been an agricultural area with activist Cesar Chavez among its past residents. But increasingly it has become a prison town with two California state prisons being the top two largest employers in the area.

Delano has a long history of gang activity and violence as it is often considered the dividing line between Norteño and Sureño gang affiliations in the state. According to the Southern California Gang Database, Delano consists of several Norteño, N14 gangs. A large federal operation targeting Northerner gangs in the central California area titled 'Operation Broken Bonds' saw the arrest of a Delano resident for meth distribution in May 2023.

Who is "El Patron"?

Armando Escárcega Valdez graduated with a Law Degree at ENEP Acatlán at UNAM and worked in law firms in the City and State of Mexico.

In January 2017, Escárcega was arrested in Mexico City, accused of the crime of extortion, an act of which there was no record of a criminal incident. A year later he was admitted to the Oriente prison for the same crime, but he was acquitted in September 2019.

Information from the FGR indicated that "El Patrón" provided money, weapons, drugs, and a safe house located in Michoacán to those responsible for the attempted murder of Imagen TV journalist Ciro Gómez Leyva in December 2022. 

On December 31, 2022, he was seen by authorities during a meeting with the perpetrators of the attack against the journalist, in a restaurant on the Mexico-Querétaro highway. 

The agents followed the criminals to the meeting, where they managed to hear that “El Patrón” asked about the “jale del journalist.” One of the criminals responded, “That asshole 'Bart' didn't realize that mother [fucker] was armored,” referring to the reinforced glass that saved Gómez Leyva's life.

At the end of the meeting, the investigation agents followed everyone involved to their home, except for "El Patrón," who went to a warehouse to meet with a woman, to whom he gave a black bag.

11 days later, his house in the Lindavista Vallejo neighborhood was searched. Documents that confirmed his identity were found, such as credentials, passports, bank cards, and the Grand Cherokee truck with Oaxaca plates in which he was traveling.

Intercepted calls from the alleged perpetrators indicated that "El Patrón" had contacts within the authorities to obtain information about the case and their possible search for him. This led to his fleeing to the US.

Ciro, on his nightly newscast on Imagen Televisión, identified “El Patrón” as an alleged associate of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG).

Attack on Gomez Leyva

Gómez Leyva, reported on December 15, 2022, that two people attempted to kill him, but his armored SUV saved him.

“At 11:10 pm, 200 meters from my house, two people on a motorcycle shot me, apparently with the clear intention of killing me. The armor of my truck that I was driving saved me and I have informed the authorities about the matter. CGL […] I appreciate your messages. The armor of the truck saved me. CGL,” wrote Gómez Leyva.

In a second tweet, the journalist attached four photographs, which show how the truck was left, with bullet holes on the windshield and the driver's side glass, as well as another on the hood of the vehicle.

Last March, 3 months after the attack, Claudia Sheinbaum, head of the Government of Mexico City, announced the capture of Leslie “N” for being involved in the attempted murder of the journalist. A total of 13 people had been arrested for the attack.

Among those arrested is Héctor Eduardo, “El Bart”, who is accused of directly shooting at Gómez Leyva. He is accused of also killing “El Davies”, who was piloting the motorcycle the night of the shooting.

Sources Riodoce, La Jordana, Imagen, FGR, La Silla Rota