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Texas v Juan David Ortiz

Texas Border Patrolman, Juan "David" Ortiz was accused of serial killing four women on two different days in September of 2018.  Another, fifth, woman was assaulted and held hostage in his car, but escaped and reported "David" to a state trooper at a gas station.  The last two of the four murder victims were killed after the kidnapping victim reported David Ortiz to the trooper.  The report led to his arrest after a brief manhunt, but not before two more victims lost their lives.  Juan David Ortiz gave a taped confession to all the crimes he was charged.  Although this was a capital case, the district attorney prosecuting the case declined to proceed with the death penalty in the case. 

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Case Details

​Victim(s):

  1. ​Melissa Ramirez, 29, killed on September 3, 2018

  2. Claudine Anne Luera, 42, killed on September 13, 2018

  3. Guiselda Alicia Hernandez Cantu, 35, killed on September 15, 2018

  4. Janelle Ortiz, 28, killed on September 15, 2018

  5. Erika Peña, victim of kidnapping and assault, September 14, 2018

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Charge(s): ​

  1. -capital murder, four counts

  2. aggravated assault with a deadly weapon

  3. unlawful restraint

  4. evading law enforcement

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Where:

  • Webb County, TX

    • Laredo, Texas

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When:

  • Event Date: Sept. 3, 2018, Sept. 13, 2018, and Sept 15, 2018

  • Arrest Date: Sept. 15, 2018

  • Trial dates:  11/28/2022 - 12/7/2022

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​​​Verdict: December 7, 2022

  1. -Guilty all counts

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Sentence: December 7, 2022

  1. -Automatic life without possibility of parole for convictions on four counts of capital murder.  

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