Sonora Prosecutors Charge Eight and Waldo's Corporate Entity in Deadly Hermosillo Fire

Overview

• Prosecutors formally imputed eight individuals and the Waldo's entity for negligent homicide, abortion, injuries, property damage, use of false documents, and failure to fulfill a legal duty.
• Following an 18-hour hearing, the judge rejected preventive imprisonment for the eight and ordered periodic check-ins, a financial guarantee, and restrictions on leaving the set territory.
• The judge ordered pretrial detention for José Luis “N”, the company’s legal representative, but an existing amparo paused enforcement and prosecutors say they will challenge it.
• The court scheduled January 19 for the decision on linking the already imputed defendants to stand trial.
• Authorities said three additional detainees must appear January 29, 12 judicialized individuals remain under amparo and two are at large, part of the case was referred to federal prosecutors, and the working hypothesis remains an accidental fire with the store lacking an approved internal civil protection program since 2021.