Trial Set for Murder of Ian Eccles
A trial is approaching for Jorge Oma Alcantara Gonzalez, a 40-year-old undocumented immigrant from Mexico, accused of murdering 41-year-old Ian Eccles in a Washington sanctuary. Gonzalez had previously been acquitted of the murder in May 2020, but he is scheduled to face trial again this August. If found guilty, he could spend life behind bars.
Eccles was reported missing on May 18, 2020, when a coworker noticed his absence from work. He had also been out turkey hunting with a friend in Liberty, Washington.
Law enforcement located Gonzalez near Eccles’ car and discovered he had prior familiarity with the area where Eccles vanished. He also has a documented history of mental health struggles and substance use issues.
On June 14, 2020, Gonzalez was arrested for reportedly breaking into a residence in Teanaway Valley, Washington. Following this incident, he was charged with Eccles’ murder.
Prior to Eccles’ disappearance, Gonzalez had faced multiple legal issues but remained largely protected by Washington state’s sanctuary policies, which often prevented federal immigration enforcement from intervening.
In December 2017, Gonzalez was apprehended in King County, Washington, for driving under the influence. Despite an ICE detainer, he was released from custody. A year later, he found himself arrested again in Lewis County for failure to comply, and once again, he was let go despite another ICE detainer. Shortly after this release, he faced charges for vehicle theft.
In March 2019, Gonzalez was arrested on three counts of failure to comply and was released back into the community despite another ICE detainment. In May of that same year, he was convicted of driving under the influence and, the following month, for second-degree vehicular prowling. Even after serving his sentence, he was released from prison despite being under ICE custody.
Gonzalez had also crossed the U.S.-Mexico border multiple times between 2003 and 2013, voluntarily returning in November 2003, January 2009, and December 2013. At an unspecified time, he made another illegal border crossing to evade authorities.
