Serrato charged with murder

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By Thomas Geyer | Friday, November 3, 2006 1:25 AM CST | () comments

MUSCATINE, Iowa — Murder and kidnapping charges were filed Thursday against a Muscatine man in connection with the death of Miriam Carmona, 21, who was five months pregnant when she was killed Oct. 22.

According to a news release issued by Muscatine County Attorney Gary Allison, Victor Serrato, aka Rafael Gomez, 21, was being held as a material witness in the murder along with his brother, Edgardo Serrato, 18, also of Muscatine.

Victor Serrato is charged with first-degree murder, first-degree kidnapping and nonconsensual termination of a human pregnancy.

Edgardo Serrato is charged with accessory after the fact to murder in the first-degree, accessory after the fact to kidnapping in the first-degree, accessory after the fact to nonconsensual termination of a human pregnancy, and obstruction of prosecution.

Carmona’s body was discovered at about 6:30 p.m. Oct. 22 near the Illinois foot of the Norbert F. Beckey Bridge in Rock Island County.

An autopsy conducted in Rockford, Ill., indicates the woman was beaten and suffered blunt-force trauma, officials said. Allison said Carmona was last seen alive about 1 a.m. Sunday at the Escorpion Bar. Serrato also was seen in the bar about the same time.

According to the criminal complaint filed in Muscatine County District Court, Victor Serrato lay in wait for Carmona and allegedly killed her by striking and strangling her.

Investigators believe that Carmona died in Iowa, according to the criminal complaint.

Edgardo Serrato allegedly assisted his brother in disposing of the pickup truck that Victor Serrato allegedly used to take Carmona’s body into Illinois.

Carmona lived with a young child at 718 ½ E. 7th St.

Victor Serrato was taken into custody as a material witness the day after the woman’s body was found because he was the last person to be seen with her, authorities said. Edgardo Serrato was arrested Oct. 27 as a material witness.

Victor Serrato was being held Thursday night in the Muscatine County Jail on $1 million cash-only bond. Edgardo Serrato also was being held in the Muscatine County Jail on $500,000 cash-only bond.

Both men will make initial appearances today in Muscatine County District Court.

Thomas Geyer can be contacted at (563) 383-2328 or tgeyer@qctimes.com.