Deadly Fire Suspect: ‘I’m determined to prove my innocence’

A Sunland Park couple charged in connection to a deadly arson case will remain jailed without bond as they await trial.

Jocelyn Ontiveros and Juan Carlos Holguin are facing a slew of charges, including arson, abuse of a child resulting in death and tampering with evidence. Prosecutors accuse them of starting a fire at the mobile home at 108 Mesquite in Sunland Park on December 13, 2018.

The fire resulted in the death of an 8-year-old girl. Several other children and adults in the mobile home also suffered burn injuries.

Ontiveros and Holguin had separate hearings in a Las Cruces courtroom Friday afternoon. Holguin entered the courtroom and scowled at the victim’s family, staring them down as he took a seat in front of them.

The prosecution presented similar arguments for both hearings, arguing the purpose of the fire was to kill the people inside the home, saying both suspects knew there were children and adults living inside.

Family nodded along as it the judge mentioned the suspects were part of the community and should have known about the children.

Ontiveros, who allegedly held a grudge against the mother of the girl who died in the fire, said “I’m sorry for her loss, but I’m determined to prove my innocence. That’s all I can say.”

Ontiveros’ defense attorney told the judge the suspect never confessed to being responsible for the fire and the state only had circumstantial evidence.

The Judge acknowledged it was circumstantial, but it was enough evidence to make it significant and hold them in jail.