John Raymond Iglesia-Alvarez, a 20-year-old male of Puerto Rican descent, was reported missing in October 2015 from Midland, Texas. He had been staying with Angel Luis Lebron-Rivera, a 41-year-old man also from Puerto Rico, along with Ashley Marie Cruz-Rodriguez, a 19-year-old female of Puerto Rican descent. The two young individuals disappeared under mysterious circumstances, prompting an investigation by the Midland County Sheriff's Office.
In 2018, the remains of John Raymond
Iglesia-Alvarez and Ashley Marie Cruz-Rodriguez were discovered in pits and were positively identified through DNA testing. The cause of death for both victims was determined to be gunshot wounds. The investigation led to the arrest of Angel Luis Lebron-Rivera, who was charged with two counts of first-degree murder and one charge of capital murder. He was held in the Midland County jail on a $5 million bond.
The case against Lebron-Rivera was built on evidence connecting him to the deaths of Iglesia-Alvarez and Cruz-Rodriguez. The Midland County Sheriff's Office, along with the U.S. Marshals Service and the Texas Department of Public Safety, played a crucial role in apprehending Lebron-Rivera, who had been in custody in the Dominican Republic on a kidnapping charge before being extradited to the United States.
Sheriff Gary Painter expressed his belief that Lebron-Rivera was a dangerous individual who would have continued his criminal activities if not apprehended. The Midland County District Attorney's Office considered seeking the death penalty in this case, highlighting the severity of the crimes committed. The law enforcement community received significant support from the public throughout the investigation, emphasizing their commitment to bringing justice to the victims and their families.
