Plan to steal drugs leads to 7 charged with capital murder

NACOGDOCHES – According to our news partner KETK, the arrest documents of seven East Texans charged with capital murder reveal the events leading up to their arrests and a plan to steal drugs. Documents state that police were called to a trailer park on California Street at around 9:15 p.m. due to numerous calls about gunshots heard in the area. Officers reportedly entered a trailer home that had been hit multiple times by gunfire to check on the occupants welfare. That is where officials found 18-year-old Angel Bonilla dead.

The affidavit said one of the occupants was taken to a local hospital by two others and claimed that the gunshot wound was self-inflicted. Based on the arrest documents, it is believed four people including Bonilla were residing at the California Street home when two of the suspects entered to conduct a drug transaction.

“A total of three individuals are believed to have been struck by gunfire during the homicide,” Nacogdoches PD said.

An Italian restaurant just two blocks away from where the shooting occurred contacted police about a man that appeared suspicious and disheveled, the affidavit said. The restaurant’s security video reportedly showed 19-year-old Martin Montalvo, of Lufkin, holding a box similar to one located at the crime scene that had THC vapes shortly after the shooting.

According to the affidavit, on Aug. 1 police interviewed Montalvo who admitted to driving with Gerardo Christopher Ocon, 21 of Nacogdoches, to buy narcotics at the home.

Ocon told investigators he drove six people, identified as Montalvo, 21-year-old Nathan Sauceda, 17-year-old Eder Torres, 19-year-old Lionso Torres, 19-year-old Santiago Mendoza and 20-year-old Raul Molina Lopez to the home so that Montalvo could buy THC disposable vape pens.

Ocon said they made two trips to the home and during the first time they “successfully” purchased THC vape pens from an occupant. During the second trip Montalvo and Sauceda entered and the rest of the suspects remained outside.

One of the suspects arrested allegedly admitted that the robbery was planned prior to the first drug transaction. The affidavit said the suspects all discussed their roles and several suspects attested to knowing about the plan.

The documents said that while Montalvo and Sauceda were inside, Lionso Torres, Eder Torres and Mendoza who were in possession of firearms, exited the vehicle.

Montalvo told investigators there was an altercation inside. Lionso Torres who was outside near the front door, said he heard a gunshot inside and that is when he began firing, the affidavit said.
Dispute between neighbors leads to shooting in Panola County

Ocon said he and Lopez who were in the truck began hearing gunshots and saw as Lionso Torres, Eder Torres and Mendoza fired rounds into the mobile home.

Sauceda reportedly suffered a gunshot wound and Montalvo left the home through a window after the gunfire stopped.

The affidavit said all of the suspects spoke to investigators following the shooting. A warrant for their arrests was issued and they were all charged with Bonilla’s murder in the course of attempting to commit robbery.

Photos of the accused available on KETK website.