A man charged with starting a house fire last month that killed a California mother and two of her children had been deported from the U.S. on three prior occasions, according to a report.

Arson suspect Jose Carmen Cardona, 59, had returned to the U.S. again illegally sometime before he was tied to the fatal blaze on June 25, according to investigators who spoke with Fox News Digital.

The network didn’t say when Cardona’s most recent deportation was or what his nationality is.

The San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office said they captured Cardona early Friday in Modesto and charged him with murder, attempted murder, torture and child cruelty.

Police accused the suspect of setting fire to a mobile home in Stockton and killing Lisbeth Gutierrez-Salazar, 32, and her two sons, Juan Gutierrez-Salazr, 10, and Julian Cardona-Gutierrez, 7, while they were sleeping.

A third boy inside the home, who police have not identified, was able to escape.

Authorities said Cardona and Ms. Gutierrez-Salazar were in a romantic relationship.

Law enforcement said Cardona went by multiple names, including Juan Alonzo, Juan Alonzo-Alemndares, Jose Avilla Cardona, Jose Carmona-Estrada, Roberto Giron-Giron, Felipe Ramirez Leon and Andres Vecerra Torres.

He is scheduled to appear in court Monday.

• Matt Delaney can be reached at mdelaney@washingtontimes.com.