The Kidnapping and Murder of Ernie Ibarra Jr.
For this case I watched an episode of American Monster. It’s season 3 episode 10 titled ‘Off-Camera.’
A father of five kids is kidnapped in the middle of the night.
Background
Ernie Ibarra Jr.
Ernie Ibarra was described as a very smart person, who excelled in school. After high school, he took computer classes and took a job at a baseball and softball manufacturer. He eventually had to get another job at a pizza place when he began a new relationship and had kids of his own.
A New Relationship
In 2007, he met a woman named Samantha Wohlford. They met online, and immediately hit it off. Samantha was a single mom of two 18-month old twins when they met. They became inseparable, and Ernie’s family said they were very affectionate.
In 2011, they had a set of twins of their own, Jared and Keely. Samantha didn’t work, so money was tight. She wanted to make money on Youtube, and had a channel called ‘Simplymanic.’ Ernie seemed to be happy with working two jobs, and providing for his family. Ernie was not happy that Samantha was posting everything online about their kids and relationship.
Ernie with one of his kids
Baby #5
By 2012, Samantha wasn’t getting any subscribers, she was barely hitting 100 views per post. She started to talk about her political views, adding graphics and bringing on guests to her show. This still didn’t do much for her channel, and their money problems weren’t getting any better.
In 2013, Samantha had an accident at Walmart when a baby changing table fell on her. She told the few people on Youtube that listened to her that she was depressed and was supposed to be on bedrest. Samantha also said she was pregnant again, and not excited about it. Ernie had moved out by this point, but moved back in for the kids.
Ernie was very excited when their son was born, but Samantha told anyone who would listen that Ernie began abusing her. Ernie’s family didn’t believe her for one second, but tried to supportive of the struggling mom.
The Kidnapping
On February 20, 2015, the police responded to a 911 call at Sam and Ernie’s home. The police body cam footage was played in this episode. The officer said that someone broke in, busted through the front door, pistol whipped Ernie and that he was missing. Samantha was tied up in their bedroom, but she was unharmed.
The police asked Samantha to walk them through what happened. She seemed emotional, and said that it was three men that broke in. They had box cutter knives and a gun, wore dark clothing and had masks on.
The police asked Samantha what she was tied up with, and she said a dress and a ribbon from her drawers. The police brought Samantha down to the station for further questioning.
Samantha’s Story
The police asked Samantha what happened to Ernie. She told them that she was put onto the floor, and that the attackers put a knife to her throat. She said she cooperated to stay alive. She went on to say that they left her alone, but kept hitting Ernie and tied something around his face.
Samantha told the police that she had a suspicion about who did this. She said that she went to the hospital the day before, to talk to her friend Sharla about the fact that Ernie was abusing her. She said that a man was in the room and was very pissed off about what he was hearing. Samantha said the man went by John Rebel on Facebook, but she didn’t know his real name. Samantha also said that John told her that he was going “handle the situation.”
The police left the interrogation room, and Samantha stared into the camera and wrote on the whiteboard ‘have you found my husband?’
The Real Story
The police went to the hospital to track down this John person. John Rebel was identified as Jonathan Sanford, he was arrested. Jose Ponse, Jonathan’s brother-in-law was also arrested.
The police asked Jonathan what happened, and he said it wasn’t his idea. Jonathan cooperated, and took the police to where they took Ernie. Ernie was pistol whipped, dragged from his home and thrown into Samantha’s car. The kidnappers took him to Sand Crossing in Camp County, Texas. Ernie was stripped and shot while he was standing up. Jose Ponce was the one who pulled the trigger.
Jonathan also said that a man named Octavius Rhymes was also there, but that the master mined behind the attack was Samantha Wohlford. He said they were together the night before, planning it. He also said that he took her kids to Walmart to buy food.
The police looked into Jonathan’s story, they obtained the Walmart surveillance footage. Sure enough, Octavius, Jose and Jonathan all walked in together, with Samantha’s kids in tow.
Samantha was confronted, and she said she didn’t do anything. Octavius backed up Jonathan’s story, and said that Samantha had been trying to get “this dude beat up” for years.
Arrests and Convictions
Samantha was charged with aggravated kidnapping and murder. She denied knowing the three men that did this, but at trial her phone records proved otherwise. Samantha was convicted and sentenced to 50 years for the kidnapping and 99 years for the murder.
Octavius Rhymes was sentenced to 23 years for kidnapping and 75 years for the murder.
Jonathan Sanford and Jose Ponce pleaded guilty to aggravated kidnapping and murder. They were both given 50 years for both charges, which are to be served concurrently.
Samantha Wohlford
Jonathan Sanford and Jose Ponce
Octavius Rhymes
FINAL THOUGHTS
This breaks my heart for those children who lost both parents. The police and Ernie’s family believe that Samantha did it because Ernie was going to leave her and try to get full custody of the kids. However, I think she was just selfish and wanted him gone because he didn’t agree with her lifestyle. She didn’t have a job and they were struggling.
Also, I will never understand how several people agree to taking someone’s life, especially when they knew that these kids would be left without parents. It’s sick and disgusting, and they all deserve to rot in prison.
Sources
https://thecinemaholic.com/ernest-ibarra-murder-who-killed-him-where-is-samantha-wohlford-now/
