Juan David Ortiz Indicted for Capital Murder
Written by Post Public Information Representative, Dec 5, 2018, Comments Off
Courtesy Yanira Deleon,
(Laredo, Texas)-The District Attorney’s Office reports that the 341st District Court Grand Jury returned a true bill for Border Patrol Agent Juan David Ortiz. Ortiz was indicted on one count of capital murder, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, unlawful restraint and evading arrest or detention for fatally shooting Melissa Ramirez, Claudine Luera, Guiselda Alicia Cantu and Humberto Janelle Ortiz and committing aggravated assault against Erika Peña.
On, Friday, September 14, 2018 around 9:00 p.m., a Texas Department of Public Safety Trooper was approached by a woman identified as Erika Peña at a gas station in north Laredo. Erika advised the trooper that a man she knew as, “David,” took her to his house after picking her up on San Bernardo Street. She stated that David began to act weirdly when she brought up her friend Melissa, who had been discovered dead a week before. After leaving David’s house and stopping at the gas station, Erika stated that David pulled out a black gun and pointed it at her. Erika tried to exit his vehicle, but David grabbed her shirt and prevented her from leaving. She then screamed for help and managed to escape, running towards the trooper. Erika was able to lead officers to the David’s residence. Erika was then escorted to the Sheriff’s Sub-station on Highway 59 for questioning. After further investigation, it was revealed that the owner of the residence was Juan David Ortiz. A look out was subsequently placed for Ortiz and a white in color Dodge truck.
On Saturday, September 15, 2018, at approximately, 1:00 a.m., State Troopers located Ortiz and the Dodge truck at a gas station located at the intersection of San Bernardo Ave and Jefferson St. As troopers approached the vehicle, Ortiz fled on foot. Around 2:30 a.m., Texas Department of Public Safety, Texas Rangers and the Webb County Sheriff’s Office located Ortiz hiding in the parking garage of a local hotel located on the 800 block of Garden Street. Ortiz was arrested for evading arrest or detention and transported to the Sheriff’s Sub-Station for questioning. During his interview, Ortiz verbally confessed to committing the aggravated assault against Erika Peña and the killing of four individuals between September 3, 2018 and September 15, 2018.
Juan David Ortiz was arrested and charged with four counts of murder, one count of unlawful restraint, one count of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and two counts of evading arrest or detention. His bond was set at 2.5 million dollars.
Ortiz was indicted for one count of capital murder, which is punishable by death or life in prison without the possibility of parole. During a press conference held by the District Attorney’s office, DA Alaniz stated that he will be seeking the death penalty. Ortiz was also indicted on one count of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, one count of unlawful restraint with reckless exposure to serious bodily injury and evading arrest or detention, a second-degree felony, third-degree felony and class A misdemeanor in the State of Texas, respectively.
An arraignment hearing is pending.
