Murder Orchestrated from Behind Bars

The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office has named a current California inmate as a fourth suspect in last year’s murder of Javier Alcantar Limon. Joseph Morales, 27, currently an inmate in the County of Los Angeles, is alleged to have coordinated the murder of Limon from his prison housing unit using a cell phone.

In August 2014, field workers discovered Limon’s body on the side of a road on Santa Maria’s Main Street near the Guadalupe Dunes. The medical examiner determined Limon had died as a result of multiple gunshot wounds. In September 2014, authorities arrested Gregorio Agustine, Arturo Granados, and Yesenia Granados, all from Santa Maria, for their alleged part in the Limon’s murder. The investigation into Limon’s death has helped authorities identify additional suspects.

The Santa Barbara District Attorney’s office has been asked to charge Morales with homicide and a gang allegation. He is currently serving a sentence for his role in a 2006 attempted murder in Santa Maria.