Robert Mata, a 53-year-old man from Ben Bolt, Texas, was tragically found dead on October 20, 2015, near County Road 464. His death was part of a double homicide, with the other victim being Marcelino Guerra, aged 50. The Jim Wells County Sheriff's Department began investigating the case the following day after receiving a 911 call about a vehicle on fire on nearby County Road 148. The vehicle belonged to one of the victims.
Two months after the incident, two teenagers, Michael Castro and Andres Garza, were arrested on suspicion of multiple charges, including capital murder, in connection with the deaths of Mata and Guerra. Michael Castro, now 20, was held on charges of aggravated robbery, arson, capital murder, and engaging in organized criminal activity. Andres Garza, 19 at the time, faced charges of capital murder, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, aggravated robbery, arson, and engaging in organized criminal activity. Garza was eligible for release with bail set at $16,150,000.
The investigation revealed that the three suspects, along with a fourth accomplice, Aaron Garza, attempted to rob Mata and Guerra. The suspects were also involved in an incident the following day, where they robbed a Sutherland's store, pointed a firearm at a store representative, and set a vehicle on fire. The case against the suspects was significant, with the trial date set for January 2017.
Andres Garza eventually pleaded guilty to two counts of murder and received a 50-year sentence for each count, to be served concurrently. He also received a 25-year sentence for aggravated robbery in a different case, with the possibility of parole after serving half his sentence. The sentences were part of a plea agreement, and Garza was eligible for parole after 23 years due to time already served.
The tragic deaths of Robert Mata and Marcelino Guerra left a lasting impact on their families and the community, with memorials held to honor their memory. The case highlighted the importance of community resilience and the pursuit of justice in the face of such devastating events.
