San Jacinto County News

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A Piper aircraft crashed in a field in San Jacinto County on Wednesday, leaving two people injured. Courtesy photo

SJNT staff

SAN JACINTO COUNTY — Texas Department of Public Safety Troopers are investigating an airplane crash that occurred Wednesday north of Evergreen.

Reports indicate the troopers were called to the scene of the crash, an open field near FM 945 about three miles north of Highway 150.

The report states that at approximately 1:28 p.m., a Piper aircraft departed the Conroe-North Houston Regional Airport with a student pilot and instructor.

The plane reportedly experienced a mechanical issue during the flight; however, the instructor was able to fly the plane to an open field, where it crashed while landing.

The instructor, Joseph Blum, 69, from Montgomery, and the student, Darlene Woelfel, 21, from Magnolia, were transported to a Conroe Hospital for treatment.

The Federal Aviation Administration has been notified to conduct an investigation.

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K-9 officer Duna and handler Sgt. M. Gustafson of the San Jacinto County Sheriff’s Office were instrumental in locating a marijuana grow center in the Trails End subdivision in Cleveland. Courtesy photos

SJNT staff

CLEVELAND — Strong odors of pot led to the arrest of two people and the seizure of a house used to grow marijuana.

San Jacinto County Sheriff Greg Capers said that while answering a call for service in an unrelated matter in the Trails End subdivision last week, Patrol Sgt. M. Gustafson and K-9 Duna noticed a strong smell of marijuana coming from a nearby residence.

An investigation was begun, and a search warrant was issued by District Judge Wells of the 411th District Court, he said.

On Saturday, deputies and investigators searched the residence in the 800 block of Butler Road, and found a manufactured marijuana-growing operation that contained 159 marijuana plants weighing approximately 320 pounds, Capers said.

Some of the plants were almost 9 feet tall, and the estimated street value of these plants is over $635,000.

Two residents, Alejo Lopez, 39, and Alejo Osvaldo, 60, were arrested on charges of delivery of marijuana of more than 50 pounds, first-degree felonies. They currently are being held in the San Jacinto County Jail.

The plants were seized as evidence and the local DEA field office was notified, Caper said, and the investigation is continuing.

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By Tony Farkas

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UPDATE: 

The original story:

CLEVELAND — Area law enforcement agencies are conducting an extensive manhunt for a suspect in the multiple shooting deaths of a Cleveland family.

Francisco Oropeza, 38, has been accused of shooting and killing five people at a residence in the early morning hours of Saturday, April 29, in the 100 block of Walters Road in the Trails End area of Cleveland.

The victims are identified as Sonia Argentina Guzman, 25; Diana Velazquez Alvarado, 21; Julisia Molina Rivera, 31; Jose Jonathan Casarez, 18; and Daniel Enrique Laso Guzman, 8.

Lt. Charles Dougherty of the San Jacinto County Sheriff’s Office, said that Oropeza, a Mexican national, has been deported at least three times in the past, and also had been arrested for driving while intoxicated.

He also said that the victims are from Honduras, but authorities are not sure of their immigration status.

Doughtery said the shootings came after police received a harassment call; the victims reportedly asked the suspect to stop shooting firearms in his yard as the family was trying to sleep.

Reports indicate that night shift patrol deputies were responding to the harassment call when multiple 911 calls of an active shooter incident at that location were received.

Multiple deputies arrived at the residence and found the victims dead in the residence, and several other victims in critical condition, all suffering from multiple gunshot wounds.

Four people were confirmed dead inside of the residence; 8-year-old Daniel was pronounced dead later at the hospital after being transported via Allegiance Mobile Health.

The three other patients were transported to the hospital as well, but their status is not known at this time. There were two other people inside the residence that were evaluated on scene and released.

Montgomery County SWAT arrived to assist and cleared several properties adjacent to the crime scene and determined that the shooter had fled the scene.

Dougherty said that multiple weapons were removed from the home, and authorities have a weapon that fits the description of the murder weapon, but a .357 magnum was not found, leading police to believe that Oropeza still has it.

Dougherty said Oropeza is considered armed and dangerous; if spotted, do not approach or attempt to apprehend him, and contact local authorities immediately.

Currently, a command post has been set up in the area, and officers actively are investigating all tips.

District Judge John Wells has issued an arrest warrant for a first-degree felony murder charge for Oropeza and assigned a $5 million dollar bond.

Dougherty said that at this time, there is no idea where Oropeza might have gone.

Agencies involved in the investigation include Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, Montgomery County Pct. 4 Constable’s Office, Splendora Police Department, Harris County Sheriff’s Office, United States Marshal’s Service Gulf Coast Violent Offenders Task Force, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Texas Office of the Inspector General, Texas Department of Public Safety, Texas Rangers, Texas Department of Corrections K9 Tracking Division, and the San Jacinto County Sheriff’s Office Patrol and Criminal Investigations Divisions.

Multi County Crime Stoppers is offering a $50,000 reward for information, and the FBI is offering an additional $25,000.

On Sunday, Gov. Greg Abbott announced a $50,000 reward for Oropeza, who now is a Texas Department of Public Safety top 10 fugitive.

“Our hearts go out to the families and loved ones of the five victims that were taken in this senseless act of violence,” Abbott said. “I continue working with state and local officials to ensure they have all available resources to respond to this horrific crime. I thank the men and women in law enforcement who are tirelessly working to ensure this criminal is caught and brought to justice.”

The Governor also directed DPS Director Steve McCraw and Texas Military Department Adjutant General Thomas Suelzer to alert Operation Lone Star soldiers and troopers to be on the lookout for the criminal and any attempts to flee the country after taking the lives of five people.

If you have any tips or information, call Crime Stoppers at (936) 539-7867 or the Sheriff’s Office at (936) 653-4367. You can remain anonymous.

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By Tony Farkas
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WILLIS — After a day on the run, the San Jacinto County Sheriff’s Office has the suspect wanted in connection with the murder of a Coldspring teenager in custody.

Sheriff Greg Capers said Joshua Escobar, 19, turned himself into the Sheriff’s Office on Saturday evening, and was charged with murder. He currently is being held on a $1 million bond.

Capers said the department began the search for Escobar Friday afternoon in connection with the death of Sean Velasquez, 19, was shot twice sometime Friday afternoon at a residence in the 100 block of Williamson Lane in the Willis area of San Jacinto County.

Authorities were notified around 12:30 p.m. Friday, and San Jacinto County deputies and investigators immediately responded to the scene. A deputy assigned to the Special Operations Division was first on scene and entered the residence.

Reports indicate the deputy located the victim lying flat on a bed in the bedroom with a large amount of blood present, and found there was no pulse and the victim was not breathing.

The deputy found at least two gunshot wounds on the victim.

Capers said that he, other deputies and investigators from the Criminal Investigations Division arrived and began interviewing the female who reported the crime, who later was transported to the Sheriff’s Office for questioning and forensic analysis.

The San Jacinto County District Attorney’s Office assisted the Criminal Investigation Division and Special Operations Division with the investigation.

“It is believed this is an isolated incident resulting from a dating relationship-related altercation between two males and a female,” Capers said. “One of the males is suspected to be an ex-boyfriend and the deceased is the current boyfriend. The female informed deputies the ex-boyfriend was the shooter, and left the scene in a gray passenger car headed towards the Cypress area in Harris County.”