Mexican Mafia members wanted in brutal double slaying arrested

John Mendoza Jr., Kristopher Sanchez arrested in connection with deaths of Traci Lynn Lemley, Jeremy Carrico

SAN ANTONIO – Two men wanted in a double slaying in Medina County were arrested late Tuesday night by the U.S. Marshals Service Lone Star Fugitive Task Force. 

John Mendoza Jr., 35 (pictured left), and Kristopher Sanchez, 34 (pictured right) were wanted in connection with the deaths of Traci Lynn Lemley and Jeremy Carrico.

According to a U.S. Marshals press release, task force members received information about the suspects whereabouts and determined they were hiding in an apartment in the 700 block of Cantrell Drive on San Antonio's South Side. 

Task force officers observed Sanchez leave the apartment in a vehicle. San Antonio police officers followed the vehicle, initiated a traffic stop and took Sanchez into custody without incident.

Task force officers later observed Mendoza leave the apartment and walk toward a different vehicle in the parking lot.

They approached him, identified themselves and took Mendoza into custody without incident as well, the release stated.

An investigation into the double slaying began on June 8 when sheriff deputies responded to a fire in a Medina County field where they found Lemley's (pictured below) remains.

On June 17, sheriff deputies responded to another field fire in Nueces County where they found Carrico's remains.   

Investigators determined three suspects: Mendoza, Sanchez, and Loribeth Martinez, 23, (pictured below) were allegedly involved in killing both victims.  

The trio allegedly burned the bodies and abandoned the charred remains, the release stated. 

Martinez turned herself in to authorities on June 27 for her involvement in the murders and was booked into the Medina County Jail. 

Arrest warrants were then issued for Mendoza and Sanchez who remained fugitives until their arrest Tuesday night.   

Mendoza and Sanchez were being held in custody at the Medina County Sheriff's Office. 

KSAT reported Monday both men were believed to be members of the Texas Mexican Mafia. 

According to the release, the Medina County Sheriff's Office, Texas Rangers, SAPD's Gang Unit and Repeat Offender Program Unit all assisted with the suspects arrest.


About the Author

RJ Marquez is the traffic anchor/reporter for KSAT’s Good Morning San Antonio. He also fills in as a news anchor and has covered stories from breaking news and Fiesta to Spurs championships and high school sports. RJ started at KSAT in 2010. He is proud to serve our viewers and be a part of the culture and community that makes San Antonio great.

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