Agents of the Tamaulipas State Attorney General’s Office executed an arrest warrant against Jorge Luis Ponce, director of the Marina Doenitz Military Academy, and his collaborator Estrella Mora, for their alleged responsibility in the femicide of Dafne Zapata Quintos, a minor who died during a camp organized by the school in Ciudad Madero.
The arrest was carried out by agents of the Specialized Prosecutor’s Office for the Investigation of Femicide and Intentional Homicide of Women on Saturday night. In the early hours of Sunday, both defendants were transferred to the Altamira Comprehensive Justice Center to be placed at the disposal of the Judge of Control. The detainees were met with shouts of “murderers.” Although initially the plan was to take them to the Prosecutor’s Office, authorities opted to place them directly in the holding cells due to the presence of numerous protesters.
The suspects arrived at the courthouse complex amidst a heavy security presence. As they exited the official vehicles, the protesters chanted slogans demanding justice. Estrella Mora, escorted by female officers, attempted to cover her face with sheets of paper, while Jorge Luis Ponce did the same, escorted by police personnel, before entering the building.
With these two arrests, the number of people brought before the courts in connection with this case rises to three, in addition to the previous arrest of Danna Yanina, who is already facing her corresponding criminal proceedings.
Likewise, the facilities of the Marina Doenitz Military Academy remain under ministerial guard. The state Prosecutor’s Office confirmed that the investigation remains open to determine if there are more individuals involved and to clarify the death of the minor.
