Mass murderer enters plea deal

Francisco Oropeza to spend natural life in prison

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COLDSPRING — The Mexican national arrest for the mass shooting in San Jacinto County 2 years ago will serve the rest of his life in prison after reaching a plea agreement with prosecutors on Wednesday.

Francisco Oropeza, 40, pleaded guilty to a charge of capital murder of five individuals before District Judge Albert McCaig of Waller County, who was assigned to the case after District Judge John Wells recused himself.

Chief Assistant District Attorney Robert Freyer said the plea agreement was reached after prosecutors agreed not to seek the death penalty; instead, Oropeza will spend life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Freyer said that after careful consideration and discussions with the family of the victims, the plea would give closure that was best for everybody involved.

“We were very detailed and methodical in the investigation, but the family was ready for the matter to be ended,” Freyer said. “This was a certain result where he gives up any right to appeal. He will die in prison; he will never get out.”

Freyer said that a trial, followed by writs, appeals, motion hearings and other procedural items could have taken years. With the plea, the family now is able to get on with their lives.

“We commend the work of the Sheriff’s Office, the Department of Public Safety and all others who helped with the case,” Freyer said. “Still, a case of this magnitude is a tremendous strain on small county district attorney budgets. We were ready to go forward, but the family wanted this to be put behind them.”

Oropeza was arrested in connection with the shooting and killing of five people at a residence in the early morning hours of April 2023 in the 100 block of Walters Road in the Trails End area of Cleveland.

The victims are Sonia Argentina Guzman, 25; Diana Velazquez Alvarado, 21; Julisia Molina Rivera, 31; Jose Jonathan Casarez, 18; and Daniel Enrique Laso Guzman, 8, all Honduran nationals.

The shootings came after police received a harassment call; the victims reportedly asked the suspect to stop shooting firearms in his yard as the family was trying to sleep.

Four of the victims were confirmed dead inside of the residence; 8-year-old Daniel was pronounced dead later at the hospital after being transported via Allegiance Mobile Health.

Reports indicate that Oropeza had been deported at least three times in the past and also had been arrested for driving while intoxicated.

Oropeza was the subject of days-long manhunt involving numerous law enforcement agencies; after a tip given to investigators, he was found in a home hiding under a pile of laundry in a closet.