On January 3, 2023, the body of 24-year-old Lucio Gustavo Carmona III was discovered on Tessman Road, just north of Pleasanton, Texas. An autopsy confirmed that Carmona had died from a gunshot wound.
The Atascosa County Sheriff's Office (ACSO) swiftly initiated an investigation, identifying David Castleberry, 25, and his girlfriend, Clarissa Guillen, 21, both from San Antonio, as primary suspects. The couple had recently become acquainted with Carmona.
Within 48 hours of the murder, on January 5, 2023, ACSO investigators arrested Castleberry and Guillen in San Antonio. They were found in a stolen vehicle and had outstanding warrants for other offenses. Both suspects confessed to their involvement in Carmona's death, leading to their arrest on murder charges.
The investigation revealed that on the day of the murder, Carmona had asked an acquaintance, Anthony “Blue” Arredondo, for a ride to the bank to cash a $1,400 check. Unable to assist, Arredondo suggested Castleberry and Guillen could provide the ride. Surveillance footage showed Guillen making a transaction at a bank's drive-thru, with Castleberry in the passenger seat and Carmona in the back. After the transaction, Castleberry turned around, demanded the money from Carmona at gunpoint, and then shot him. The couple then drove to Tessman Road, where they disposed of Carmona's body.
In October 2024, David Castleberry was tried and convicted for the murder of Lucio Carmona. An Atascosa County jury deliberated for just 25 minutes before delivering a guilty verdict, sentencing Castleberry to life in prison. During the trial, Guillen testified against Castleberry, stating that he was the shooter and had threatened her after the murder. She is currently awaiting trial for her role in the crime.
The swift resolution of this case, from the arrests to the conviction, underscores the dedication of the Atascosa County Sheriff's Office and the judicial system in seeking justice for the victim and his family. Carmona's tragic death has had a profound impact on his loved ones, who remember him as a cherished family member taken too soon.
