The victim of a recent brutal beating who was set on fire went to buy methamphetamine at a home in Port Hueneme. A suspect in the attack told Miguel Limon that those at the house didn't sell drugs anymore.

The suspect invited Limon to stay for a backyard barbecue. Limon accepted the dinner invitation. Later, a second man poured gasoline on Limon and set him on fire.

That's according to a police search warrant used to examine the house where Limon, 27, was beaten and burned April 27.

Port Hueneme police arrested two men in the attack that left third-degree burns on Limon's arm and the right side of his face. Both of his eyes were blackened and swollen shut, police said.

Two men Felipe Juarez, 26, and Anthony "Tony" Soto, 21 have been arrested.

Juarez was charged with attempted murder, aggravated mayhem, arson that caused great bodily harm, kidnapping and false imprisonment by violence.

Soto was charged with aggravated mayhem, arson that caused great bodily injury and false imprisonment by violence.

Both men recently entered not guilty pleas in Ventura County Superior Court.

Police are still searching for a third suspect, Eduardo Lopez, 24.

Judge Kevin McGee set a hearing June 4 and a preliminary hearing June 11.

Police Cmdr. Jerry Beck said Friday that this level of brutality rarely occurs in Port Hueneme.

"It's probably the worst that I have seen. ... I would venture to say that they were under the influence based upon what they did to another human being," Beck said.

One suspect admitted to police that he had been using methamphetamine the night he was arrested, said Beck.

Limon, of Oxnard, is making a slow recovery from his burns and injuries.

"He is doing better. He is improving daily," Beck said.

The search warrant states that at 10:30 a.m., Limon went to the home in the 1100 block of North Sixth Place to buy methamphetamine. Juarez told him that residents did not sell methamphetamine anymore.

But Limon was welcome to stay "as they were barbecuing 'carne asada,' " according to the warrant. Limon stayed for dinner and sat in the backyard with "Felipe" and another subject known as "Tony," the warrant states.

Juarez asked Limon if he was aware that Juarez had burned a woman alive.

"Felipe asked him if he wanted to see how he did it. Limon said no and got up to leave. Limon said Tony followed him and 'poured gasoline' on him, and then Felipe threw a lit cigarette at his back setting him on fire. Limon said he was screaming as his clothes and face burned," the search warrant states.

Juarez and Soto knocked him down and began kicking him with "steel-toed boots." They pushed him into a hot tub to put out the fire and would beat him if he tried to get out, the search warrant indicates.

Juarez threatened Limon that if he went to police, they would kill his family by "cutting off their arms and legs," the warrant says.

Limon's hands, feet and mouth were taped, and he was put on a couch in the home.

A person who arrived at the home later persuaded the men to let Limon go, because he needed medical care, Beck said.

Beck said the "exact motive" behind the beating and burning is still unclear.

"We really can't substantiate any motive," he said, adding that police have investigated whether Juarez's remark about burning a woman is true. However, Beck said nothing has turned up so far.

Beck said methamphetamine can cause paranoia and bizarre behavior in heavy users or people who are on lengthy drug binges. However, most methamphetamine users don't show these dangerous side effects, according to Beck.

"Obviously, there is a potential there for that kind of behavior," he said.