Ladexter Tequan Pelt, a 25-year-old man from Alabama, was last seen on November 4, 2021, in Gridley, California. Pelt, along with his friend John Dubose, had flown from Alabama to Sacramento, California, reportedly to visit friends. The two men were seen leaving the Sacramento airport in a dark blue four-door sedan. Their last known location was just south of Gridley, a city about 60 miles north of Sacramento. Neither Pelt nor Dubose have been heard from since.
The investigation into their disappearance began after family members reported them missing. A significant lead came when a hunter discovered Dubose's cell phone in the Sutter Bypass Wildlife Area near Nicholas, California. A subsequent search of that area, however, did not yield any further clues. Information from Pelt's cell phone provider led investigators to a hotel in Sacramento.
In December 2021, the case took a significant turn when authorities announced they believed both Pelt and Dubose had been murdered at a house in Gridley. Two brothers, Ricardo Banuelos-Villarreal and Alfredo Banuelos-Villarreal, were charged with two counts of murder. Investigators alleged that the brothers knew Pelt and Dubose and had sent marijuana to them in Alabama. A search of Ricardo's detached garage uncovered blood that was a DNA match to one of the missing men.
Ricardo Banuelos-Villarreal was arrested, while his brother Alfredo remained at large and was believed to have possibly fled to Mexico. Ricardo faced two murder trials. The first, in September 2022, resulted in a hung jury, though he was convicted of transporting marijuana out of state. A second murder trial in November 2023 also ended with a deadlocked jury. Following the second mistrial, Ricardo was released from custody. The bodies of Ladexter Pelt and John Dubose have never been found, but authorities suspect foul play due to the circumstances of their disappearance.
Last Seen: Nov 4, 2021
