Mineral Wells Area News

MWPD Chief Dennison Issues Press Release

MINERAL WELLS, TEXAS – On March 22, 2023, The Mineral Wells Police Department was contacted by Medical City Arlington where we were advised of a 12-year-old female who was ni their care, and it was confirmed that she was pregnant.

On March 23 the victim was interviewed by the Palo Pinto County Child Advocacy Center where she made an outcry of the sexual assault. The suspect, Justin Ray, Estrada was interviewed by Detectives where he denied the allegations. Asearch warrant for Estrada’s DNA was obtained and Detectives collected a sample of his DNA.

In July 2023 the victim gave birth to the baby. A DNA sample was collected from the victim and the baby. On July 21, 2023, the samples were taken to the UNT Health Science Center to determine fi Estrada’s DNA was present. In January 2024 Detectives received the results of the DNA samples from UNT Health Science Center. The results of the DNA test showed with a 99.9999999999% accuracy that the DNA from the baby matched Estrada.

January 29, 2024, Detectives obtained an arrest warrant for Justin Ray Estrada, Hispanic Male, 30 years of age. Detectives were unable to locate Estrada on January 29 and the next morning began working to
find him. Through great teamwork of MWPD Officers, Detectives and the Parker County Sheriff’s Department Estrada was located with his vehicle broken down on the side of the road in Parker County. Estrada was transported to the Mineral Wells Police Department where he was interviewed by Detectives and then transported to the Palo Pinto County Sheriff’s Office where he is currently being held on a $500,000 bond.