Rudy Armendariz is a Mexican-born enforcer for Ellis and Betty Drake, being the primary director of their operations to smuggle and hold captive Mexican citizens in the Drakes' clothing factory. Armendariz killed city inspector Ira Bender, then Edouardo and María Carranza, two cousins at the factory who tried to escape. Armendariz was also having an affair with Betty.
Ellis took a plea to nine years imprisonment, and it was then it was revealed Armendariz killed the remaining captive Mexican citizens and buried them in Brooklyn. He pleaded guilty to one second-degree murder charge and was sentenced to 25 years' imprisonment. (L&O: "Wedded Bliss")
Known Victims[]
- Ira Bender (strangled; weighed down in water postmortem)
- The Carranza cousins (both strangled; weighed down in weather postmortem)
- Eduardo Carranza
- María Carranza
- Seven unnamed victims