Mexican National Pleads Guilty to Murder on the Natchez Trace Parkway

Jackson, MS - A Mexican national pled guilty today to murder on the Natchez Trace Parkway.

According to court documents and statements made in open court, on September 23, 2018, Cristian Mitchel Mondragon Gonzales, 29, had an altercation with the victim following a party at a residence where they both lived. The victim left the residence and Mondragon Gonzales sought after him and found him. He convinced the victim to go for a ride with him. He then drove the victim to a location on the Natchez Trace Parkway where they both got out of the car. Gonzales shot the unarmed victim multiple times. The victim was discovered the following morning by an individual walking along a trail on the Natchez Trace Parkway.

Mondragon Gonzales pled guilty to second degree murder and discharging a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence. He is scheduled to be sentenced on February 12, 2025, and faces a maximum penalty of life in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

U.S. Attorney Todd W. Gee and Special Agent in Charge Robert A. Eikhoff of the Federal Bureau of Investigation made the announcement.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Natchez Trace Parkway Police, and the Ridgeland Police Department investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Bert Carraway is prosecuting the case.