Ranger Files File No RD 2011 00420 Rivera

Ranger Files

Reports for File Number: RD-2011.-00420

Report By: RICARDO RIVERA, RANGER 7926, MCALLEN RangerNo: CA07926110628114502D

Company: D

Desc "pt"on QUESTIONABLE DEATH, HIDALGO county, LA JOYA, victim DEL ANGEL, JOSE rl I . (HIM)

CROSS RELATED FILES: I 1. RG201100135- MOLINA- MELBA 11139

1. 6/28/2011 Approved by SHAWN PALMER, MAJOR, 7037-7/8/2011

Status: Program: Lead Ranger:

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CLOSED CRIMINAL

False

On 05-12-2011, Texas Ranger Ricardo RIVERA assisted Texas Ranger Melba MOLINA and the Hidalgo County Sheriff's Office with a Questionable Death investigation. Through the course of the investigation, the deceased was ident ified as Jose DEL ANGEL who was employed as the City of La Joya Police Chief. Ranger RIVERA canvassed the area and provided assistance by obtaining witness statements, which were subsequently relinquished to Hidalgo County Sheriff's personnel. Ranger RIVERA does not anticipate any further investigative actions, therefore, requests this file be closed.

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Ranger Report

TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY TEXAS RANGER DMSION

REPORT OF INVESTIGATION

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THIS REPORT IS THE PROPERTY OF TEXAS DPS-TEXAS RANGER DIVISION. NEITHER IT NOR ITS CONTENTS MAY BE DISSEMINATED OUTSIDE THE AGENCY TO WHICH LOANED 1. QUESTIONABLE DEATH 2. HIDALGO COUNTY, LA JOYA, TX, US 3. JOSE DEL ANGEL, HIM, 11/16/1966,44 yoa 4. 5/1212011 (Thursday)

Report By: RICARDO RIVERA, RANGER 7926, MCALLEN Status: CLOSED Division: RD-201 1-00420 Type: CRIMINAL Ranger: CA0792611 0628114502D

CROSS RELATED FILES: I 1. RG201100135- MOLINA- MELBA 11139

SYNOPSIS:

1. 6/28/2011 Approved by SHAWN PALMER, MAJOR, 7037- 7/8/2011 On 05-12-2011, Texas Ranger Ricardo RIVERA assisted Texas Ranger Melba MOLINA and the Hidalgo County Sheriffs Office with a Questionable Death investigation. Through the course of the investigation, the deceased was identified as Jose DEL ANGEL who was employed as the City of La Joya Police Chief. Ranger RIVERA canvassed the area and provided assistance by obtaining witness statements, which were subsequently relinquished to Hidalgo County Sheriffs personnel. Ranger RIVERA does not anticipate any further investigative actions, therefore, requests this file be closed.

DETAILS:

1.1 On 05-12-2011 , Texas Ranger Ricardo RIVERA was advised that La Joya Police Chief Jose DEL ANGEL WM DOB: 11-16-1966 had been missing for an undetermined amount of time. Ranger RIVERA was also advised that Chief DEL ANGEL had subsequently been found deceased. Ranger RIVERA inquired on the findings and learned that Chief DEL ANGEL had been located in his patrol unit, which was parked on a vacant residential lot within a residential area identified as Palmshore Estates located east of La Joya in Hidalgo County. Ranger RIVERA proceeded to the scene where he assisted Texas Ranger Melba MOLINA and the Hidalgo County Sheriffs Office with the investigation. Subsequent to arriving, Ranger RIVERA made contact with Penitas Police ChiefRoel BERMEA who had been one of the first officer's to arrive. Chief BERMEA advised Ranger RIVERA of the following: A Penitas Police Chief BERMEA stated that he had been advised by members of the La Joya Police Department that Chief DEL ANGEL had arrived at the La Joya Police Department earlier that same morning (05-12-2011) and acquired a marked patrol unit and departed the area. Throughout the morning and afternoon, attempts to contact and locate Chief DEL ANGEL had failed. Subsequently, a concerned citizen who had previously observed a La Joya Police unit parked on the empty lot at the Palmshore Estates had approached and located Chief DEL ANGEL sitting in the driver's seat of the patrol unit with what appeared to be a gunshot wound to the chest. For further investigative details, refer to file number RG-2011-00135, written by Ranger MOLINA

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Ranger Report Page 2 of7

1.2 As Ranger RIVERA approached the crime scene, he noted that the weather was dry and calm. The roadway was noted to be paved. A crime scene perimeter was established at a reasonable distance as it was evident from the crime scene tape that had been set. A Hidalgo County Sheriffs Deputy was standing post, noting the time and identity of each officer entering the scene. As Ranger RIVERA approached, he observed multiple residences along the street. Ranger RIVERA observed a vacant lot in between two (2) residences on the east side of the roadway. On the vacant lot, Ranger RIVERA identified a black Chevrolet Tahoe with police markings identifying the vehicle as a La Joya Police unit. Ranger RIVERA observed that the unit was facing in an eastwardly direction with the driver's side door open with the taillights activated.

1.3 Ranger RIVERA began canvassing the area in an attempt to locate any witnesses that could provide information useful to the investigation. Upon making contact with the public, Ranger RIVERA identified an individual standing near the crime scene entrance. Ranger RIVERA identified that individual as Jonas DEL ANGEL HIM DOB: 08-16-1957, brother to the decedent. A statement was secured from J. DEL ANGEL who indicated the following: "My date ofbirth is 08-16-1957. I reside at 218 Josefina Flores Street in Sullivan ~lgo County. My Social Security Number is M~river s license number is-- My telephone number is 956-222-9022. I am voluntarily submitting this statement to Texas Ranger Ricardo RIVERA in Spanish. I am giving this statement without any threats or promises and on my own free will. Ranger RIVERA will write this statement in English and will translate the statement back to me in Spanish. This statement may be used for whatever purpose deemed necessary. I would prefer Ranger RIVERA to type this statement as I speak. (INITIALS: ). Ranger RIVERA will type the statement for me as I relay the information to him verbally. I am currently employed as a bus driver by the La Joya Independent School District. Today I went into work at 5:00 AM, I punch in here in La Joya and then we take a small bus to Western Road and TX 107, we have a transportation department there and that is where I pickup up bus number 139. I punched out at 8: 15 AM, but the dispatcher asked if I could punch back in and take some kids on a field trip to Edinburg. I punched out at 5:15PM and punched back in at 6:06PM in order to pick up some kids from practice at Juarez Lincoln. No one was there, but we still got two hours paid. I finally punched out at 7:59PM. I stopped at Leo s Drive Inn and put gas in my car. I then picked up my wife Elizabeth DEL ANGEL at my daughter s house in La Joya. Her name is Elizama DEL ANGEL, she lives behind the 0 Reilly s Auto Parts Store. We went home at about 8:30PM. Once at home my daughter Elizama called me and told me that, they had found my brother Jose Luis DEL ANGEL dead. She told me my niece Miriam had told her and that they had found him at his house. My wife and I picked up Elizama and we to went Jose Luis house. No one was there. We then found out from Miriam that Jose Luis was at a lot that he owns. We came over here and found all of the police cars."

1.4 Continuation from detail #3: "I am the second oldest in the family, we originate from Diaz Ordaz, we moved to Veracruz when we were young and then we eventually came back to Diaz Ordaz. As we grew older, we eventually migrated to the United States. My brother Jose Luis has been a police officer for La Joya for a while. We used to talk to one another a lot, but when he became the Chief, we hardly spoke, we pretty much went our own way. When he became Chief, he started coming out on the news a lot and I would tell him not to do that because he was going to gain enemies, he didn t listen to me and he told me that it was his job .. The last time I talked to him, it must have been about two to three months ago. I went to his house and asked him for a $300.00 loan, he told me that he did not have any money. After that, I left and I had not spoken to him since. He lives on Tom Gill Road, I do not know his address. I know that he had a common-law wife, her name is Ofelia, I do not know her last name. They have two kids together. I think she moved away, I do not know if there separated or not. I do not know anything about his personal life. Ifyou ask me, I think someone came with him to see his lot, maybe he wanted to sell his lot. He sold a house before, I know that he liked to buy and sell lots and houses. I do not know for sure, but that is what I think happened. That is all I know, I told him not to do so many interviews because he was going to make enemies." The statement was secured and marked as Exhibit 1.1. A copy of Exhibit

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1.1 was relinquished to Hidalgo County Sheriffs Investigator Jonathan PALACIOS.

1.5 On 05-13-2011 , at approximately 12:04 AM, Ranger RIVERA made contact with another brother identified as Sergio DEL ANGEL HIM DOB: 03-27-1972. A voluntary statement was obtained from S. DEL ANGEL, which indicated the following: "My date ofbirth is 03-27-1972. I live at 7719 Western View Driver, Miss~ounty. My-Drivers License Number i~ my social security number is-I work for La Joya I.S.D, I am a journeyman electrician. My telephone number is 956-458-1844. I am voluntarily submitting this statement to Texas Ranger Ricardo RJVERA. I am giving this statement without any threats or promises and on my own free will. This statement may be used for whatever purpose deemed necessary. I would prefer Ranger RIVERA to type this statement as I speak. (INITIALS: ). I am Jose Luis DEL ANGELS younger brother. Were close, I am his workout partner. Joe is married by common-law to Ofelia, I don t know her last name. They have two kids together. The last time I saw Joe was on Saturday, we got together at his house to see the Mosley fight, everyone was there, my brothers, sisters, everyone except Ofelia. I found out that night that he had been separated from Ofelia for a week. My brother wasn t 100 percent, he was very depressed, he didn t show it though, he kept on going to his room and was texting, he wasn t happy at all. After a while, my nephew Danny Sandoval told me that he had separated from Ofelia. My brother wasn t a drinker, and he doesn t take any medication. I just heard right now, that someone was saying, I think it was Mayor Billy Leo that Joe had gone to Dr. Saenz, I guess to talk to him about his separation from Ofelia. Ofelia works for Dr. Saenz."

1.6 Continuation from detail #5 "My brother has been married twice before, his last marriage ended when he met Ofelia. Ofelia is younger than him and he has told me that he thought that she was fucking around with someone else, he wasn t sure though. He would tell me that Ofelia at times would be texting until the early hours of the morning. He started talking to me, Danny and David Sandoval Jr., they are our nephews. He told us that it was going very bad with Ofelia and him. He asked us for advice, he also told us that he was hurting pretty bad. I once told him that he had better not do anything to himself, he told me that he would never do anything to himself, he is very strong and has a lot of pride. I know that three weeks ago, Ofelia went somewhere to party and she got drunk. He told me that she almost got arrested. He told me that they had argued, that s all he told me. He didn t know where she was, she would leave and come in real late and that would piss Joe off I think that s what triggered the separation. I talked to him on Tuesday, we talked about 10 to 15 minutes, I was trying to cheer him up, we talked about his problems, I told him that if he needed someone, I was there for him. I told him that he needed to leave Ofelia and find someone who really loves him. He agreed and told me that he would give her everything. I noticed that he wasn t really absorbing what I would tell him, he wasn t really listening to me, he was real hurt. We didn t talk about anything else. I didn t see him today at all, I got a call from Ricky Salinas, he is a dispatcher for La Joya PD, he told me that they were trying to find him since 9:00AM, I told him that it wasn t normal. About 20 minutes later, Ricky called me and told me that they had found Joe, he didn t want to tell but they told me that he had committed suicide, that he was dead. They told me that he was at his property at Palm Shore, I know where his property was so I came over and saw some police, they didn t let me come inside. I really think he did that to himself, I know that the officers were really concerned about his demeanor and the problems he was having with his wife. I never heard anything about people wanting to harm him." The statement was secured and marked as Exhibit 1.2. A copy of Exhibit 1.2 was relinquished to Hidalgo County Sheriffs Investigator PALACIOS.

1.7 On the same date, at approximately I :05 AM, Ranger RIVERA made contact with Penitas Police Chief Roel BERMEA. Chief BERMEA provided a statement which indicated the following: "I am the Chief of Police of Penitas, I have been employed in Penitas since December of2010. My work address is 1 I 11 South Main, Penitas, Hidalgo County. My telephone number is 956-874-7867. I am voluntarily submitting this statement to Texas Ranger Ricardo RIVERA. I am giving this statement without any threats or promises and on my own free will. This statement may be used for whatever purpose deemed

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necessary. I would prefer Ranger RIVERA to type this statement as I speak. (INITIALS: ). I have been the Penitas Police Chief since December 20, 2010. I work closely with La Joya PD, I have known Chief DEL ANGEL for about 35 years, we used to pEay baseball together. About a week ago, we attended a meeting to coordinate an operation. Chief DEL ANGEL walked in late, he sat down and listened to what everyone was saying. When it was his turn to talk he started saying that they had assisted ICE at the election sight. He went on to say that, his job was being threatened if a certain party won the election. He also said that some people at the meeting knew Keno Flores, but he didn t care. He kept on stressing that certain party. This past Tuesday, La Joya Police Lt. Julian GUTIERREZ told me that the Chief was having some personal issues involving his wife. He told me that he was actually concerned for his well-being because he did not seem to be himself, he had been acting strange. I told the Lt. that he needed to talk to him because of the concerns that the police department had."

1.8 Continuation from detail #7 "Today at about 7:45 or 8:00PM, I got a call from Lt. GUTIERREZ who asked me for some advice. He told me that Chief DEL ANGEL had gone to work this morning, had picked up a unit and left. He then told me that different officers and dispatch had been trying to get a hold of him on the radio and by phone, but there had not been any response. He also told me that this afternoon he started getting concerned because he didn t show up to tum in his unit. He asked me if he should call a city administrator, I told him that he should. I asked Lt. GUTIERREZ what the concern was. He told me that the Chief had not been himself. He told me that his attitude had changed mainly because of the ongoing issues with his wife. I told him that he needed to notify someone, Lt. GUTIERREZ told me that he was hesitant because he didn t want to make it seem like he was trying to take the Chiefs job. I told him that when the Chief was not there, he was in charge of the department. He told me, he was going to make the call. Lt. GUTIERREZ called me back to let me know that he had talked to the cities administrators and asked me if he should put out an administrative message, which is basically a welfare concern. I asked Lt. GUTIERREZ ifhe wanted me to send a unit to the Chiefs residence, he told me that they had gone earlier but to go ahead anyway. I called my dispatcher and told them to instruct Penitas Officer Abelardo GUTIERREZ. I told them to be very discreet, I explained to them why they were concerned. Officer GUTIERREZ went to the house and he called me to tell me that there was a truck at the Chiefs house. The Mayor of Penitas called me shortly after to inform me what was going on. Lt. GUTIERREZ called me and told me to go to the Chiefs lot at the lake. I knew where the lot was because he had tried to sell it to me before. Lt. GUTIERREZ also told me that they had found Chief DEL ANGEL dead. I got to the location, I saw that units and EMS were already there. I made contact with Corporal Saenz. I asked if anyone had approached the truck. He told me that EMS had approached it. From what I gather, they were the only ones that had been in the truck. I obtained some latex gloves and approached the Tahoe with Officer Posada. When I approached the Tahoe, I noticed that the taillights were on, when I got closer, I heard the engine running. I approached the Tahoe on the driver s side and noticed that the door was already open, I don t know who opened it. I looked inside, not touching anything, I recognized Chief DEL ANGEL, he was sitting down in the drivers seat. I think his head was tilted to the right, his head was laying back on the backrest. I was looking for the gun. I think that the Chief is right handed. I didn t see the weapon, I noticed that the panel lights were on. I didn t notice if the radio or A/C was on. I went around to the passenger side. I advised Officer POSADA that I was going to check the passenger side to see if I could see the weapon. I opened the passenger side door and the weapon fell between my feet. I don t know for sure but I don t think the weapon was on the seat because I couldn t see it from the drivers side and I had a clear view. When I opened the door the weapon fell , I think it might have been between the seat and the door. When I opened the door, the weapon fell straight down. The weapon appeared to be a Glock, I think that is the weapon that is issued by La Joya PD. I looked at the Chiefs holster, which was on the right side and I didn t see a weapon."

1.9 Continuation from detail #8 "I noticed that the Chief had a concentration of blood in the stomach area. I noticed that the right hand was clenched and was on the center console. I think his left hand was on the side of his body. At that point, I asked if Officer POSADA had a camera, he told me that he had his

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personal camera with him, I asked him to photograph the gun. He then took some photos ofChiefDEL ANGEL. We walked back and a short while later Justice of the Peace OCHOA got there. Someone asked me if I could escort the judge over there. Judge OCHOA saw Chief DEL ANGEL from the driver s side door and then he walked to see the gun and walked out of the area. The La J oya Officers secured the scene. We then called the Rangers. A short while later, Lt. GUTIERREZ got to the location and! I told him what we had observed. I got my camera and photographed the scene. After I photographed the vehicle, Lt. GUTIERREZ secured Chief DEL ANGELS hands inside some manila envelopes. I have since relinquished the photographs to Ranger RIVERA. That s it. I have never heard of any direct threats ever made to Chief DEL ANGEL. He has told me in that past that there had been threats against them." The statement was marked as Exhibit I .3. A copy of the statement was relinquished to Hidalgo County sheriffs Investigator PALACIOS.

1.10 Subsequent to obtaining Chief BERMEA'S witness statement, Ranger RIVERA was advised by Chief BERMEA that photographs of the crime scene had been taken by him and were contained in his camera. With Chief BERMEA present, Ranger RIVERA obtained the camera's SD card and downloaded a series of photographs pertaining to the crime scene. The photographs were retained by Ranger RIVERA, which were marked as Exhibit 1.4.

1.11 At approximately 2:40 AM, Ranger RIVERA cleared the scene. Upon departure, Ranger RIVERA was notified by Chief BERMEA who advised that he had been informed by members of his staff that Chief DEL ANGEL'S spouse identified as Ofelia ESPINOZA H/F DOB: 04-0I-1978 had filed an informational report with the Penitas Police Department on 04-30-2011. On the same date, Ranger RIVERA obtained custody of the informational report which indicated the following: A. The report identified by case number 2011-04-577 indicated that ESPINOZA made contact with the Penitas Police Department to inform them that her and her husband (Chief DEL ANGEL) had an argument, at which time Chief DEL ANGEL had requested that ESPINOZA move out of their residence. According to ESPINOZA, she acquired her and her children's personal belongings; however, Chief DEL ANGEL appeared to recant and requested for them to stay. ESPINOZA requested an informational report to be on file, due to the fact that she would be leaving the residence. The Penitas Police Department informational report was marked as Exhibit 1.5. Exhibit's 1.4 (photographs), and Exhibit 1.5 were released to Ranger Gary PHILLIPS on 05-16-2011. On the same date, Ranger PHILLIPS released the exhibits to Hidalgo County Sheriffs Investigator PALACIOS. On 05- I 6-20 I 1, Ranger PIDLLIPS relinquished a property release form to Ranger RIVERA indicating Investigator PALACIOS had resumed custody of Exhibit's 1.4 and 1.5. The property release was secured and marked as Exhibit 1.6.

1.12 Ranger RIVERA does not hold any evidence and no further investigative efforts are anticipated, therefore, Ranger RIVERA, respectfully requests that this file be closed.

INVESTIGATORS:

1.1 RICARDO RIVERA, Texas Ranger, Texas Rangers Co . .,D., 1200 N. Commerce Center McAllen, TX 78501 (956) 217-3457

1.2 Jonathan PALACIOS, Investigator, Hidalgo County Sheriffs Office 711 El Cibolo Road Edinburg, TX 78539 (956) 383-8114

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Ranger Report

1.3 Melba MOLINA, Texas Ranger, Texas Rangers Co. "D" 12.00 N. Commerce Center McAllen, TX 78501 (956) 217-3457

1.4 Gary PHILLIPS, Texas Ranger, Texas Rangers Co. "D" 1200 N. Commerce Center McAllen, TX 78501 (956) 217-3457

WITNESSES:

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1.1 Jonas DEL ANGEL- HIM- 8/16/1957 Home:218 Josefina Flores Street

Sullivan City, TX 78560, US (956) 222-9022

Work:La Joya Independent School District 308 E. Expressway 83 La Joya, TX 78560, US

1.2 Sergio DEL ANGEL- HIM- 3/27/1972 Home:7719 Western View Drive

Mission, TX 78572, US Work:La Joya Independent School District

308 E. Expressway 83 (956) 458-1844

1.3 Roel BERMEA - HIM -Home:

, TX,US

La Joya, TX 78560, US

Work:Penitas Police Department 1111 S. Main Street Penitas, TX 78560, US

1.4 Ofelia ESPINOZA - H/F- 4/4/1978 Home:1403 JADE STREET

Penitas, TX 78576, US (956) 451-0335

Work:

,TX,US

CUSTODY OF EVIDENCE:

1.1 Evidence Seized: Date/Time Seized: Address Seized: Location Seized: Seized By: Recovery Value: Note: Transfer To:

Voluntary Witness Statement from Jonas DEL ANGEL 5/12/2011 11:29:00 PM Palmshore Estates La Joya, Hidalgo County RICARDO RIVERA Texas Rangers 0

Hidalgo County Sheriffs Investigator Jonathan PALACIOS Transfer Date: 5/13/2011

1.2 Evidence Seized: Date/Time Seized: Address Seized: Location Seized: Seized By:

Voluntary Witness Statement from Sergio DEL ANGEL 5/ 13/2011 12:31:00 AM Palmshore Estates La J oya, Hidalgo County RICARDO RIVERA Texas Rangers

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Recovery Value: 0 Note: Transfer To: Hidalgo County Sheriffs Investigator Jonathan PALACIOS

Transfer Date: 5/13/2011


Voluntary Witness Statement from Penitas Police Chief BERMEA 5/13/2011 2:09:00 AM Palmshore Estates La Joya, Hidalgo County RICARDO RIVERA Texas Rangers 0

Hidalgo County Sheriffs Investigator Jonathan PALACIOS Transfer Date: 5/13/2011


Crime scene photographs taken by Penitas Police Chief BERMEA 5/13/2011 2:30:00 AM Palmshore Estates La Joya, Hidalgo County RICARDO RIVERA Texas Rangers 0

Texas Ranger Gary PHILLIPS Co. "D" Transfer Date: 5/16/2011 5/16/2011 Hidalgo County Sheriffs Investigator Jonathan PALACIOS


Penitas Police Department informational report, case number 2011-04-577 5/13/2011 11:30:00 AM 1111 S. Main Street, Penitas, Hidalgo County Penitas Police Department RICARDO RIVERA Texas Rangers 0

Texas Ranger Gary PHILLIPS Co. "D" Transfer Date: 5/16/2011 5/16/2011 Hidalgo County Sheriffs Investigator Jonathan PALACIOS


Property release form 5/16/2011 4:30:00 PM 1200 N. Commerce Center, McAllen, Hidalgo County Texas Rangers Co. "D" Headquarters RICARDO RIVERA Texas Rangers 0

Transfer Date:

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Documents

Ranger Files File No RD 2011 00420 Rivera