Suspect in multiple murders arrested

By Tony Farkas
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CONROE — Francisco Oropeza, wanted for the slaying of five Cleveland residents, was taken into custody May 2 at a residence in Montgomery County.

In addition to Oropeza, his domestic partner, Divimara Nava, 52, also was arrested on a charge of harboring a felon, a third-degree felony, and is being held at the Montgomery County Jail on a $250,000 bond.

San Jacinto County Sheriff Greg Capers said Oropeza was transferred to the San Jacinto County Jail late Tuesday night and is being held on a $7.5 million bond for first-degree murder.

Capers said that on Tuesday, law enforcement officials received a tip that Oropeza was seen at a residence in Montgomery County and sent a team out.

The team arrived at the residence and found enough evidence that made the tip credible, Capers said. A tactical team consisting of the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office Homicide/Violent Crimes Unit, Crime Scene Investigations Unit and Texas Rangers executed a search warrant, entered the residence, and found Oropeza hiding under a pile of laundry in a closet.

Multiple pieces of evidence were recovered from the scene.

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The 38-year-old Oropeza is accused of shooting and killing five people at a residence in the early morning hours of April 29 in the 100 block of Walters Road in the Trails End area of Cleveland.

The victims are were 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.

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.

Four of the victims 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.

Capers said this still is a very active, ongoing investigation and information will be released as it becomes available.