Multiple arrests made Friday in possible animal ritual sacrifice in West Bexar County

Cynthia Gabriell Martinez Cynthia Gabriell Martinez Photo: Bexar County Sheriff's Office Photo: Bexar County Sheriff's Office Image 1 of / 72 Caption Close Multiple arrests made Friday in possible animal ritual sacrifice in West Bexar County 1 / 72 Back to Gallery

A gruesome scene unfolded Friday night as Bexar County Sheriff's deputies discovered dead and dismembered animals in a West Bexar County home after receiving calls that animals were being sacrificed.

Deputies responded to an animal cruelty call in the 11400 block of Bronze Sand Road about 7 p.m.

When deputies arrived, they saw more than a dozen people inside the garage of a residence where a woman was cutting up "animal parts," while another person was draining the blood of a chicken into a container, according to Sgt. Elizabeth Gonzalez.

"It appears that they were having some sort of unknown ritual," Gonzalez said. "They were speaking a different language the officer did not recognize." Gonzalez explained the responding deputy is fluent in English and Spanish.

During the investigation deputies found multiple dead and mutilated animals inside the residence as well, including "goat heads" and more chickens, Gonzalez said.

Eleven men and women, ages 23 to 65, were arrested on charges of cruelty to livestock animals. That offense is a Class A misdemeanor, unless it's enhanced because of previous related offenses.

The people arrested were Alexander Gene Campos, 23; Ivan Felipe Gonzalez, 24; Carmen Maria Gonzalez-Trujillo, 41; Cynthia Gabriell Martinez, 29; Liza Mercado, 46; Marie Galan Murcia, 65; Ramon Patino Jr., 65; Luiz Rodriguez Ortiz, 41; Robert Talamantez, 55; Irma Garza Talamantez, 64; and Arteaga Ariel Torres, 39

Bexar County Animal Control Services removed several live animals from the scene.