A Mexican illegal immigrant charged in the horrifying death of a woman in Waukegan, Illinois, has been re-arrested by federal authorities after initially being freed by a state judge under the SAFE-T Act.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents arrested 52-year-old Jose Luis Mendoza-Gonzalez in Chicago on Saturday. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) confirmed the arrest and criticized his earlier release after being charged in connection with the brutal killing of 37-year-old Megan Bos.
In April, Mendoza-Gonzalez was charged with concealing a corpse, abuse of a corpse, and obstruction of justice. Despite the nature of the charges, Lake County Judge Randie Bruno allowed him to walk free. ICE agents have now placed him back in custody, calling the earlier decision “absolutely repulsive.”
Bos was reported missing in early March, with her last known contact dating back to February. Her body was discovered stuffed in a container on Mendoza-Gonzalez’s property, decapitated and soaked in bleach. Mendoza-Gonzalez pleaded not guilty in May, according to NBC Chicago.
The victim’s family expressed outrage at the suspect’s release and pointed to Illinois’ controversial SAFE-T Act as a contributing factor. The Act, championed by Democrat Governor J.B. Pritzker, abolished cash bail and has faced strong opposition from law enforcement and crime victims’ advocates who argue it enables the release of dangerous offenders.
“This guy belongs in jail,” said Bos’ father. “Who isn’t held accountable for hiding a body for 51 days in a dumpster?” Bos’ mother added that the suspect told police the victim overdosed while using drugs with him, a claim the family has not accepted.
The SAFE-T Act took effect on January 1, 2023. Critics say it undermines public safety by prioritizing criminal rights over community protection. DHS echoed these concerns, asserting that the suspect’s release highlights the dangers of sanctuary policies and weak bail enforcement.
The case reignites debate over immigration enforcement, judicial accountability, and the risks posed by legislation like the SAFE-T Act that de-emphasizes detention for suspects in violent crimes.
