Illegal Deported 3 Times Returns to California and Lights Deadly House Fire With Mom, Children Inside

Authorities in California have arrested a thrice-deported illegal immigrant in connection with a deadly house fire that killed a mom and two of her three of her children last month, according to a law enforcement source.

Stockton police announced the arrest of Jose Carmen Cardona, 59, Friday morning.

Jose Carmen Cardona

A source with knowledge of the investigation tells Fox News Digital the suspect has been deported three times and returned to the U.S. anyway.

The victims have been identified as Lisbeth Gutierrez-Salazar, 32, and her two sons, Juan Gutierrez-Salazr, 10, and Julian Cardona-Gutierrez, 7.  {snip}

They were all asleep in their mobile home when Cardona allegedly set it on fire.

Cardona was dating the mother, but he was not the father of the children, police said.

{snip}

Cardona faces charges of murder, attempted murder and child endangerment, as well as special circumstances allegations of multiple murder, arson and torture, which make him eligible for the death penalty.

{snip}