A Mexican judge sentenced three men on Friday to 158 years and nine months in prison each for the 2024 murders of two Australian surfers and an American citizen. The defendants—identified as Jesus Gerardo, Irineo Francisco, and Angel Jesus—were convicted of killing brothers Jake and Callum Robinson and their friend Carter Rhoad during an attempted robbery. Judge Raul Hernandez ruled that the men acted with premeditation during the attack.
The incident occurred in April 2024 while the victims were on a surfing and camping trip near Ensenada, on Mexico's Pacific coast. According to the Baja California state prosecutor’s office, the attackers sought to steal the tires and other parts from the victims' pickup truck. The three victims were shot in the head with 9mm and .45 caliber pistols. Their bodies were later discovered in a remote, board-covered well approximately four miles from their campsite, a site investigators described as extremely difficult to locate.
During the proceedings, prosecutors detailed how the attackers attempted to destroy evidence by burning the victims' tents and vehicle. A fourth body, which had been in the well for a significantly longer period, was also discovered during the recovery; however, no charges have been filed against the defendants in relation to that death. While prosecutors requested more than $100,000 in damages, Judge Hernandez rejected the request, stating that compensation must be sought through civil court.
The scale of the violence in this region is notable, as Baja California is reported as one of Mexico’s most violent states due to organized crime, though tourists are not typically targeted. For international travelers and surfers who frequent Ensenada, the case highlights risks associated with camping in remote areas. The conviction of these three men follows the November sentencing of a fourth individual, Ary Gisell Silva, who received 20 years in prison for her role in goading the primary attacker to steal the vehicle's tires.
While the criminal trial has concluded with these prison terms, the families' pursuit of financial restitution remains unresolved. Because the judge denied the request for $100,000 in damages during the criminal phase, the families would need to initiate separate civil proceedings to seek those funds. The defendants will remain in Mexican custody to serve their terms, and the victims' families, who attended the trial either in person or via video link from Australia and the U.S., have now concluded their participation in the criminal proceedings.