Mineral Wells Area News

Law enforcement officials were searching an area of southwestern Palo Pinto County late in the evening of December 15th looking for three juvenile suspects who escaped from a detention center near Granbury and were reportedly seen on HWY 281 near Morgan Mill in adjacent Erath County. Those suspects were eventually apprehended near Dallas on Monday, however it was that manhunt which lead officers to discover an unrelated crime in the area.

While officers were in the area looking for the juveniles, the body of a male victim was found on the side of the west bound I-20 service road, just east of the Gordon exit near State Hwy 193 according to the Palo Pinto County Sheriff’s Office.

“Investigators determined that the deceased male was a victim of a criminal assault and had suffered traumatic injuries.  Evidence at the scene indicated that the crime had not occurred in Palo Pinto County, only that the victim had been transported to Palo Pinto County and discarded,” stated the press release from Chief Deputy James Goodwin.

The victim has been identified as 68-year-old Marvin Wayne Henry of from Dallas County.

“Two suspects were taken into custody in the same area where the vehicle was recovered, on unrelated charges, pending further charges as this active investigation continued. This appears to be a random act that is not related to this area, as there are no known local ties of any of the subjects involved,” stated Goodwin.

“Through various means and resources, the victim was identified, and it was determined that he was currently a resident of Dallas County.  Investigators were able to ascertain that the victim’s vehicle was missing and requested assistance from law enforcement agencies throughout the State in locating the vehicle,” he said.

“The victim’s vehicle was located near Gainesville, in Cooke County, Texas, later that evening.  Two suspects were taken into custody and held for questioning.   Investigators determined that a third suspect was still at large and was located near Valley View the next day.  He was also taken into custody and held for questioning,” Goodwin said.

The Palo Pinto County Sheriff’s Office obtained Capital Murder warrants for the three suspects, and they are currently in the custody of the Cooke County Sheriff, awaiting transport to Palo Pinto County.

Arrested for the crime are 31-year-old Natalie Gomez, 39-year-old Pascual Villaneda of Dallas County and Ruperto Toscana of Mexico.

“A special thank you to all of the law enforcement agencies for their tireless efforts and quick responses, which led to the successful apprehension of three violent criminals: the Texas Rangers, the Texas Department of Public Safety, the Border Patrol, the Cooke County Sheriff’s Office, the Gainesville, Texas, Police Department, and the Dallas County Medical Examiner’s Office,” stated Goodwin.

This remains an active investigation with the Palo Pinto County Sheriff’s Office in cooperation with the Texas Rangers.