After being read all of the charges against him, the man arrested for the murder of three people in Mobile County and the disposal of their bodies in Baldwin County pleaded not guilty. Newly filed court documents outline horrifying details about what investigators believe happened to the family.
Hector Gamaliel Argueta-Guerra, an illegal immigrant, is charged with three counts of capital murder in the course of kidnapping, three counts of capital murder during the course of burglary, capital murder for the death of two or more people, capital murder in the death of a child under 14, three counts of abuse of a corpse and obstruction of justice for providing a false identification to law enforcement to prevent an investigation.
The victims, Aurelia Choc Cac, 40; her daughter, Niurka, 17; and her two-year-old son, Anthony, were found dead in Summerdale on March 11. The three were reported missing from their home in Theodore on January 30.
According to complaints, authorities allege Argueta-Guerra entered Choc's home with a deadly weapon or explosive and kidnapped the family. The filings suggest the perpetrator had the intent to "violate or abuse" the victims sexually.
The complaint states that Choc was killed by sharp force trauma to the back and chest. The teen was killed by sharp force trauma during an attempt to abduct her. The boy was killed by sharp force trauma to the head.
The victims were found wrapped in plastic and bedding in clandestine graves. Their bodies have been sent to the medical examiner's office for further evaluation and autopsies.
Mobile County Special District Judge Jill Parrish Phillips ordered Argueta-Guerra to be held with no bond during a bond hearing and initial appearance.
Argueta-Guerra was assigned assistant public defenders Ashley Cameron, Claire Dailey and W. Travis Grant. The court also hired a Spanish-language interpreter for the case.
A preliminary hearing has been set for April 6.
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