Dr. José Manuel Mireles, the leader of an autodefensa group in the Mexican state of Michoacán, was released from prison on the morning of May 12, 2017, after serving nearly three years in prison.
Mireles was arrested on June 27, 2014, along with hundreds of his colleagues, for use of prohibited weapons and drug possession. The drug possession charge was dropped, and he has never been brought to trial for the weapons charge. The judge handling the case claimed that he had been unable to deal with it because of his heavy workload.
He was released on 30,000 pesos bail, and had to agree to not associate with other autodefensas.
Mireles was the leader of a group that took up arms in the town of Tepalcatepec on February 24, 2013, to confront the Knights Templar cartel, which had been terrorizing the population of the Tierra Caliente area of Michoacán.
He had serious health problems caused by his captivity: two heart attacks, diabetes, and spinal problems. He completed a book during his incarceration.
Story from Borderland Beat: Dr. José Manuel Mireles Freed
Story (in Spanish) from La Jornada: Sale José Manuel Mireles del penal federal de Tepic
Story (in Spanish) from Reporte Indigo: Conceden libertad condicional al doctor José Mireles (includes video)
Earlier diary in Daily Kos: Michoacán Autodefensa leader arrested and charged
Mireles was the main subject of the documentary “Cartel Land”. Here’s the entire film: