U.S. Border Patrol Agent in Texas Confesses to Killing Four
A border control agent in Texas has been arrested for killing four people. He is also accused of abducting another person. That woman escaped and alerted police.
Juan David Ortiz, an intel supervisor for the Border Patrol, was arrested Saturday morning after he was found hiding in a hotel parking lot in Laredo.
According to Eduardo Chapa, a spokesman for the Webb County Sheriff’s Office, Ortiz has confessed to the four murders.
His confession was also part of his criminal complaint.
According to CNN:
Juan David Ortiz, 35, confessed to killing four people between September 3 and September 15, according to a criminal complaint filed in Webb County, Texas. Ortiz was charged with four murder charges and one unlawful restraint with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, according to Webb County District Attorney Isidro R. “Chilo” Alaniz.
The investigation was started earlier this month after the body of Melissa Rameriz was found. A second victim, Claudine Anne Luera, was found alive but died at the hospital. That followed by two more bodies being discovered. The names of those victims have not been released. Some reports have indicated that one of the victims may be male.
Webb County District Attorney Isidro Alaniz told reporters at a press conference following the arrest that Ortiz qualifies as a serial murder.
“We have probable cause to believe that he is responsible for this series of murders, which I would qualify as a serial murderer,” Alaniz said.
Customs and Border Control, which confirmed Ortiz was indeed a supervisor working for them, has issued a statement sending condolences to the families of the victims.
“Our sincerest condolences go out to the victims’ family and friends,” Andrew Meehan, CBP’s assistant commissioner for public affairs said. “While it is CBP policy to not comment on the details of an ongoing investigation, criminal action by our employees is not, and will not be tolerated.”
CBP is cooperating fully with authorities in the matter.
[Image via Getty Images]
Post updated to reflect Ortiz’s confession and Border Control statement
