Machete Murder Suspect Apprehended
Unidentified male subject found dead

BY:  TESSIE MEDINA

PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER

SHERIFF'S DEPT.

Less than 24 hours after Webb County Sheriff’s Department was notified of a possible homicide, Sheriff’s Investigators, Texas Rangers, and Border Patrol brought a murder suspect to justice and called it case closed in the murder of an un-identified male subject.
Webb County Sheriff’s Department Patrol Units were notified early Monday morning of possible “foul play” at a local used clothing facility located off of Mines Road near Rancho Penitas-West.
The owners of the facility noticed a large blood trail and drag marks that led from a semi trailer box located behind the warehouse out towards a vacant brushy lot some forty yards away.
After Sheriff’s Department Patrol Deputies conducted a preliminary investigation, Investigators along with command staff arrived on scene and after following the blood trail were led to an 8 to 10 foot cesspool where an unidentified male subject was found facedown, nude.
Webb County Medical Examiner Dr. Corinne Stern and Texas Ranger Robert Hunter were called to assist the investigation and attempt to remove the body from the pit.
Upon initial observation, investigators noted the victim appeared to have received multiple severe injuries to the face, head, and chest area.
Investigators quickly began to interview potential witnesses and were able to compile a description of a possible suspect. The suspect was said to possibly be carrying a machete and a pink back pack.
Immediately area Border Patrol Intel and checkpoints were notified to be on the lookout for the suspect.
Several hours later, an illegal immigrant was apprehended by Border Patrol agents walking through a brushy area between Mines Road and IH-35, carrying a pink backpack and a machete.
After the undocumented alien was processed he was transferred over to Webb County Sheriff’s Investigators for interview.
Using a photo line-up, witnesses were able to positively identify the suspect as an individual who had been living in the semi trailer box situated right out back of the warehouse and had been seen carrying the backpack and machete.
The suspect, now identified as 18 year old Jose Elias Perez-Guerra, provided a full confession to the murder of the male subject revealing that the victim had indeed been brutally attacked with a machete and an 8-10 inch butcher knife.
Perez was taken to Webb County Jail where a $200,000 bond was placed by Justice of the Peace Oscar Martinez in addition to an immigration hold for his illegal status.
An autopsy will be conducted on the male victim by Webb County Medical Examiner Dr. Corinne Stern, further investigation continues in attempt to identify the victim.