Ex-Prosecutor Faces Charges in Francisca Mariner Case

Cancún, Mexico — Oscar Montes de Oca Rosales, the former head of the State Attorney General's Office, could be linked to legal proceedings in the case of young woman Francisca Mariner Flores Patrón, an investigation that was stalled for nearly four years, according to the Madres Buscadoras (Search Mothers) of Quintana Roo.

This development comes hours after two former public servants from the State Attorney General's Office were linked to legal proceedings for alleged negligence in the investigation of the disappearance and death of the young woman, which occurred on June 22, 2020.

The officials who have been linked to the process are a former Homicide prosecutor and a former agent of the Ministerio Público (Public Prosecutor's Office). They are alleged to have committed irregularities that delayed the case investigation, as reported by the activists and their lawyer, Ariadne Song Anguas.

The judge imposed precautionary measures that include, among others, a prohibition on leaving the country, a ban on approaching the victim's mother, and they are also forbidden from contacting witnesses in the case. Both former officials will face their legal process while at liberty. The judicial process is expected to last just over two years.

While the family maintained constant searches for nearly five years, the young woman's body remained at the Servicio Médico Forense (Semefo, Forensic Medical Service) during the administration of Oscar Montes de Oca. This is why alleged negligence is being attributed to him and his officials, who are accused of simply not doing their jobs.

"Finally, after the third hearing to request the linking to legal proceedings, it was granted yesterday. After three hearings, the linking to the process of these two other public servants was achieved: the former Homicide prosecutor and the Public Prosecutor agent who delayed the investigation file for four and a half years," detailed María Dolores Patrón Pat, mother of Francisca Mariner and president of the Madres Buscadoras de Quintana Roo, in an interview.

She subsequently confirmed that they are indeed seeking to link other allegedly negligent former officials to the process, among whom is the former head of the FGE (State Attorney General's Office), Oscar Montes de Oca Rosales.

"That's the expert who mislabeled the evidence and put another name on the genetic samples; he put 'María José.' He is the one who has not been located. And yes, he is included, the former prosecutor Montes de Oca, and the director of Forensic Services who was in that position at the time. There are three, and the chemist, it's four who are missing," detailed the activist and mother of Francisca Mariner Flores Patrón.

The activist stated that one of the most difficult parts of the process is now beginning, as it targets important former officials like ex-prosecutor Oscar Montes de Oca. She said that despite years of struggle, she is not giving up. She invited searching families to never give up, to continue, and to report negligent officials, urging them not to remain silent.