crime

Milam County Law & Order: Grand Jury Issues 40 Indictments as Jail Logs Surge in Drug, Violence, and Weapons Charges

Proceedings held in the 20th Judicial District Court saw a Milam County grand jury return 40 true bills and a single no-bill on Sept. 10.

CAMERON — A wave of felony indictments and jail bookings has swept through Milam County this September, marked by a 40-count grand jury docket, multiple violent crime charges, and major felony arrests spanning from Cameron to Rockdale.

Proceedings held in the 20th Judicial District Court under Judge John W. Youngblood saw a Milam County grand jury return 40 true bills and a single no-bill on Sept. 10, according to official releases from District Attorney Brian Price’s office. Drug-related offenses dominated the session, alongside high-profile charges involving manslaughter, firearm discharges, and domestic violence.

Grand Jury Docket: Manslaughter, Gunfire, and Widespread Drug Counts

The Sept. 10 grand jury returned several high-level felony indictments:

Manslaughter: Jeremiah Morataya, 20, of Conroe, was formally indicted for second-degree felony manslaughter. Morataya had previously been booked into the Milam County Jail on Sept. 1 on charges including manslaughter, possession of a Penalty Group 3 controlled substance (under 28 grams), and unlawful carrying of a weapon, carrying a combined bond of $270,000.
Deadly Conduct Discharges: In related actions, three Cameron men—Leonardo Cuadros, 27; Jesus Saucedo, 27; and Jose Luis Lopez, 25—were each indicted for third-degree felony deadly conduct by discharging a firearm. The district attorney's office was asked to clarify whether the three matching charges stem from the same underlying incident.
Domestic Violence & Protective Orders: A father and son from Rockdale were indicted during the same session. Johnny Garza Gonzales Jr., 19, was indicted for third-degree felony assault family violence by impeding breathing, while Johnny Garza Gonzales, 56, was indicted for violation of a protective order two or more times within a 12-month span.

Narcotics Indictments

Drug cases accounted for the majority of the grand jury’s docket. Individuals indicted on controlled substance offenses include:

Levar Dewayne Beckwith, 48, of Rockdale (cocaine, 1 to 4 grams)
Richard Wayne Scott, 37, of Cameron (two drug counts, plus unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon)
Katherine Marie Melton, 54, of Cameron (possession of marijuana, 4 ounces to 5 pounds)
Melissa Lee Garcia, 52, of Rockdale
Julian Cesar Vasquez, 34, of Rockdale
Charles David Mayon, 47, of Cameron
Paul Anthony Billingsley, 50, of Cameron
Leroy Tristan, 57, of Kendleton
Juan Carlos Garcia Jr., 46, of East Bernard

Recent Milam County Jail Bookings

Law enforcement activity across the county also yielded several bookings at the Milam County Jail over mid-to-late September:

Michael Morris (Booking No. 4017) was taken into custody on Sept. 18 at 3:03 p.m. facing eight separate counts, including five charges of possession with intent to promote child pornography involving a victim under 18. He was additionally charged with unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon, three counts of possession of a dangerous drug, possession of marijuana under 2 ounces, and possession of a drug-test falsification device. His total bond was set at $140,500.
Kelan Locklin was booked on Sept. 10 on charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and terroristic threat against a family or household member, with bond set at $60,000.
Lonnie Hemphill was booked on Sept. 19 for assault of a family or household member by impeding breath or circulation ($30,000 bond).
Martin Bermudez was arrested on Sept. 21 at 12:15 a.m. on a charge of burglary of a habitation, with bond set at $20,000.
Elicio Espinoza was booked on Sept. 21 at 9:14 a.m. facing charges of assault causing bodily injury–family violence ($160,000 bond) and indecent exposure ($12,000 bond).