Convict Involved in Double Murder Sentenced to Prison

SAN ANGELO, TX -- The last defendant in the double murder of two San Angelo men was sentenced to prison Tuesday.  

Visiting senior District Judge Brock Jones sentenced Justin Gamez to 27 years in prison for his role in the murders of Jimmy Andrew Gonzales and Anthony Michael Martinez. 

On Sept. 12, 2016, Ricky Ray Ortegon Zuniga and co-defendants Raymond Alvarado, Krystal Sanchez,and Justin Gamez, “intentionally and knowingly,” caused the deaths of Jimmy Andrew Gonzales and Anthony Michael Martinez by shooting them with a firearm, while committing or attempting to commit the offense of burglary of a habitation.

San Angelo Police Officer Reeves was dispatched to the 1000 block of Rio Grande Street and found two males with gunshot wounds inside the residence.

SAPD Officer Roebuck went to Shannon Hospital when advised of the shooting to wait for the gunshot victims to arrive.

Zuniga said he, along with Raymond Alvarado, drove to Gonzales’ house on Rio Grande that night. Alvarado, the complaint said, told Zuniga he had intentions of stealing from Gonzales. Once the duo arrived, the two went inside and a fight ensued with Martinez. Sometime during the fight, Zuniga told police Alvarado brandished a firearm.

He asked Martinez “where his money was.” Shortly thereafter, Zuniga told police he heard gunfire and “got out of the house.

Zuniga said he went back to Gamez’s truck that the two arrived in. Alvarado then got into the backseat of the truck, and Gamez drove them away from the house. Zuniga told police Alvarado had killed both Martinez and Gonzales.

In his statement, Gamez said he drove back to the house, following Zuniga and Alvarado in another vehicle. Gamez claimed he remained in the truck when Zuniga and Alvarado went into the house. He said he heard arguing coming from the house. Then, after the shooting, Rick and Ray “got into his truck” and Gamez drove them away.

The investigation also led detectives to 27-year-old Lerma (also known with a last name of Sanchez). She too waived her rights and agreed to be interviewed by detectives. The interview was audio recorded and videotaped. Lerma stated that she personally heard from Alvarado that he wanted to rob Gonzales. She spoke to Alvarado by phone and informed him she was going to Gonzales' home on the night of Sept. 12.

Alvarado asked Lerma to call him when she got to the home, Lerma said. She admitted to police she knew the reason Alvarado wanted her to call him when she arrived, and that was because Alvarado wanted to rob Gonzales.

In the courtroom Tuesday, Gamez sat quietly with his attorney as the mothers of the victims read victim impact statements.  Both women tearfully told judge Jones how their lives had been impacted by the murders of their sons.  Gamez pleaded guilty to one count of burglary of a habitation with the intent to commit another felony and one count of tampering with evidence.  He was sentenced to 27 years in prison for the first count and 10 years in prison for the tampering charge.  The sentences will run concurrently.  

Alvarado was sentenced to life in prison. Zuniga was sentenced to 40 years in prison and Lerma was sentenced to 27 years in prison.