Crime and Violence

Son of Knights Templar leader arrested in Michoacán

Huber Gómez Patiño, son of Knights Templar leader Servando "La Tuta" Gómez Martínez. Photo: Milenio.
Huber Gómez Patiño, son of Knights Templar leader Servando “La Tuta” Gómez Martínez. Photo: Milenio.

06/25/14 (written by aalvarez) — Several weeks after authorities arrested eight suspects in Michoacán with presumed ties to the Knights Templar Organization (Caballeros Templarios, KTO), Federal Police (Policía Federal, PF) captured another important member of the organized crime group. On June 21, police arrested Huber Gómez Patiño, son of the KTO leader Servando “La Tuta” Gómez Martínez, in Arteaga, Michoacán. Gómez Patiño, who was found carrying a .45 caliber handgun and methamphetamine, faces charges of money laundering for the KTO, and illegal possession of weapons and drugs. His arrest falls in line with the federal and state governments’ ongoing security strategy in Michoacán.

Milenio reports that Federal Police had located Gómez Patiño (22) the day before his arrest, but delayed his apprehension because of the potential risk that it would have posed to surrounding civilians. Nevertheless, on June 21, police arrested Gómez Patiño who was attending a party in Arteaga. The suspect initially tried to escape, but was quickly apprehended, at which point he began to threaten to kill police officers if they did not let him go. Gómez Patiño has since been transferred to the municipality of Apatzingán for holding.

Gómez Patiño’s father, La Tuta, is the only remaining KTO leader standing, as authorities arrested or killed the other three presumed leaders at the beginning of 2014. Michoacán Security Commissioner Alfredo Castillo had previously proclaimed that La Tuta would be apprehended before May 10, 2014, the deadline for Michoacán’s self-defense groups (grupos de autodefensa) to disarm or officially join the state’s security apparatus. The federal government currently has a $10 million peso reward out for La Tuta’s capture.

Sources:

Redacción. “Confirman detención de hijo de “La Tuta”.” Proceso. June 21, 2014.

Alzaga, Iganacio. “Detiene PF a presunto hijo de ‘La Tuta’.” Milenio. June 22, 2014.

Tinoco, Miguel Garcia. “Capturan a un hijo de ‘La Tuta’; operativo de la Policía Federal en Michoacán.” Excélsior. June 22, 2014.

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