On February 3, 2019, the life of 21-year-old Josue Orosco of Lovington, New Mexico, was violently cut short. Orosco, a male, was forcibly taken from a motel in Hobbs by a group of men and driven to a desolate field off Stiles Road, situated between Hobbs and Lovington. In this remote location, he was brutally battered and then shot, left to succumb to his injuries in the harsh elements.
His family's nightmare began when they reported him missing under suspicious circumstances, a fear that was amplified by a series of anonymous and chilling phone calls and text messages. These messages informed them that Orosco was dead in a field and ominously warned them to cease their search or risk facing a similar fate.
The grim discovery of Orosco's body was made after an intensive search by law enforcement. An autopsy would later confirm the horrific details of his final moments, revealing the cause of death as gunshot wounds to his head and pelvis, with hypothermia being a significant contributing factor. The manner of his death was officially ruled a homicide, launching a complex investigation by the Lea County Sheriff’s Office and the Hobbs Police Department to bring those responsible to justice. The investigation was aided by a number of anonymous tips that helped piece together the events leading to Orosco's murder.
The investigation led to the identification of four suspects. Justin P. Bates, 24, of Hobbs, was charged with murder, kidnapping, aggravated assault, and possession of a firearm by a felon. Another key suspect, Israel V. Beltran-Venegas, 27, also of Hobbs, admitted to being part of the group that took Orosco to the field where he was struck with a gun and shot. He was subsequently charged with kidnapping. A third man, Hector Aguilar of Hobbs, was also arrested and charged with kidnapping for his role in the abduction.
The fourth suspect, Diego Garcia, 32, of Hobbs, remained a fugitive for a period of time, wanted for accessory to murder and kidnapping. Considered armed and dangerous, his evasion of law enforcement came to an end following a high-speed chase that spanned over 75 miles and crossed state lines into Texas. Garcia was eventually apprehended without incident and awaited extradition back to New Mexico to face the charges against him. The collaborative efforts of multiple law enforcement agencies were instrumental in the arrests of all the individuals implicated in the kidnapping and murder of Josue Orosco.
