Angel Bonilla, an 18-year-old from Nacogdoches, Texas, tragically lost his life in what began as a drug deal but quickly escalated into a violent robbery. On July 30, 2024, Bonilla was inside a residence on West California Street when multiple gunshots struck the home, ultimately resulting in his death. The details of this incident, as outlined by police documents, reveal that the situation stemmed from a planned robbery during a drug deal involving THC vape pens.
The crime involved a group of seven individuals, including Raul Molina Lopez (20), Nathan Joshua Sauceda (21), Santiago Mendoza (19), Gerardo Christopher Ocon (21), Lionso Antonio Torres (19), Eder Torres (17), and Martin H. Montalvo (19). According to the investigation, the group had intended to rob the occupants of the residence, including Bonilla. The plan was to steal from their dealer, with Montalvo allegedly suggesting the robbery to gain more than just the THC vape pens.
The Day Of The Incident
On the day of the incident, Ocon drove the group to the residence. Montalvo and Sauceda entered the home, while the Torres brothers and Mendoza stayed outside. All were armed, and the Torres brothers and Mendoza opened fire on the house. Ocon admitted to seeing them shooting. Lopez, who was supposed to tie up the occupants, remained in the vehicle. Bonilla was killed, and three others were believed to have been struck by the gunfire.
The investigation into Bonilla’s death was extensive, with over 1,534 man-hours dedicated to ensuring justice for the young victim. The involvement of multiple law enforcement agencies highlights the seriousness of the case. Angel Bonilla’s death is a stark reminder of the dangers associated with drug-related activities and the tragic consequences that can arise from criminal schemes. His life was cut short in a violent act, leaving a community to grapple with the senseless loss of a young individual.
The investigation into Bonilla’s death was extensive, as law enforcement dedicated over 1,534 man-hours to ensure justice for the young victim. The involvement of multiple agencies underscores the seriousness of the case, which may involve the highest number of suspects in a Nacogdoches Police Department murder investigation. Moreover, Angel Bonilla’s death serves as a stark reminder of the dangers associated with drug-related activities and the tragic consequences that can arise from criminal schemes. This violent act cut his life short, leaving the community to grapple with the senseless loss of a young individual.
The Investigation
The investigation into the death of 18-year-old Angel Bonilla was a complex and multifaceted effort that required multiple law enforcement agencies to coordinate closely and commit extraordinary resources. After the tragic incident on July 30, 2024, when Bonilla was killed during a drug deal-turned-homicide, the Nacogdoches Police Department (NPD) promptly launched an intensive investigation to bring those responsible to justice.
Connecting Seven Suspects
From the outset, the investigation faced significant challenges due to the number of suspects involved and the nature of the crime. With seven individuals implicated in the robbery and subsequent murder, the NPD had to meticulously piece together the events leading up to Bonilla’s death. The investigation revealed that the crime was premeditated, with the suspects planning the robbery under the guise of a drug deal involving THC vape pens. The level of planning involved, and the fact that all the suspects were armed, underscored the dangerousness of the situation and the threat it posed not only to Bonilla but to others present at the scene.
Authorities Found Surveillance Footage
One of the pivotal moments in the investigation came from the discovery of surveillance footage provided by a local restaurant. This footage captured one of the suspects, Martin H. Montalvo, shortly after the crime, appearing disheveled and using the restaurant’s phone to report an emergency. This visual evidence, combined with the recovery of a box similar to those containing THC vape pens found at the crime scene, provided critical leads that helped investigators connect the dots.
One Of The Suspects Admitted To The Crime
Interviews with the suspects were also crucial in unraveling the details of the crime. Gerardo Christopher Ocon, one of the suspects, admitted to driving the group to the residence and provided insight into the roles each individual played during the robbery. His testimony revealed that while Montalvo and Nathan Joshua Sauceda entered the home, others remained outside, firing shots into the residence. This information, corroborated by statements from other suspects, painted a clearer picture of the events that led to Bonilla’s death.
Multiple Agencies Collaborated
The investigation was not only exhaustive but also required collaboration with various agencies, including the U.S. Marshals, Homeland Security, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), and local police departments. This collaboration was essential in executing search and arrest warrants, recovering a significant number of firearms, and ultimately apprehending the suspects, some of whom were located outside the immediate area.
The NPD dedicated over 1,534 man-hours to this investigation, making it possibly the most extensive in the department’s history due to the high number of suspects. This thoroughness reflects the department’s strong commitment to holding those responsible for Bonilla’s death accountable. Moreover, it highlights the broader challenges law enforcement faces when handling crimes involving multiple suspects and the complexities of criminal conspiracies. The successful apprehension of all seven suspects further demonstrates the effectiveness of coordinated law enforcement efforts and underscores the importance of thorough, methodical investigative work in solving such heinous crimes.
How The Authorities Catch The Suspects
Law enforcement agencies apprehended the suspects involved in the murder of 18-year-old Angel Bonilla through a meticulously coordinated effort that combined traditional investigative techniques with modern technology and inter-agency collaboration. To catch these individuals, the agencies not only dedicated extensive man-hours but also strategically executed search and arrest operations across different locations.
The NPD, along with federal and state agencies like the U.S. Marshals, Homeland Security, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), coordinated a series of search and arrest warrants. They carried out these operations both within and outside of Texas, as one of the suspects had fled to Louisiana. This inter-agency cooperation proved vital, especially in tracking down and apprehending suspects who attempted to evade capture by crossing state lines.
The Arrest Of The Suspects
Law enforcement conducted the arrests with precision, executing warrants simultaneously in Nacogdoches and surrounding areas. This prevented suspects from warning each other or fleeing. During these operations, they recovered a significant number of firearms, solidifying the case against the suspects. Additionally, they apprehended the suspect in Louisiana and brought him back to East Texas, demonstrating the reach and effectiveness of their coordinated effort.
The Suspects
The suspects involved in the murder of 18-year-old Angel Bonilla in Nacogdoches, Texas, represent a diverse group of individuals, all relatively young, whose lives have now become entangled in a tragic and violent crime. These seven suspects, ranging in age from 17 to 21, were all charged with capital murder, a charge that reflects the severity of their alleged actions during the robbery that led to Bonilla’s death.
Raul Molina
Leading this group is Raul Molina Lopez, a 20-year-old from Nacogdoches. Lopez, like the others, is believed to have played a significant role in planning and executing the robbery. According to police reports, they initially tasked Lopez with tying up the occupants of the residence during the robbery. However, he ultimately remained in the vehicle, which might suggest a level of hesitancy or a change in the group’s plans as the crime unfolded. Despite this, authorities still consider his involvement critical to the events that transpired.
Nathan Sauceda
Nathan Joshua Sauceda, aged 21, also from Nacogdoches, played a more direct role in the crime. Sauceda, alongside Martin H. Montalvo, was one of the individuals who entered the residence on West California Street. Sauceda’s participation inside the home placed him at the center of the crime scene, making him a key figure in the murder charge. His actions, as part of this armed intrusion, directly contributed to the deadly outcome.
Santiago Mendoza
Santiago Mendoza, 19, Lionso Antonio Torres, also 19, and Eder Torres, 17, were the three individuals who, according to the investigation, stayed outside the home but actively participated by firing shots into the residence. The involvement of the Torres brothers, both young and likely influenced by their familial bond, adds a layer of complexity to the group dynamics. The decision to fire into the home suggests a coordinated effort to intimidate or eliminate any resistance from those inside, ultimately leading to Bonilla’s death.
Gerardo Ocon
Gerardo Christopher Ocon, 21, served as the driver for the group. Ocon’s role was crucial in transporting the suspects to and from the crime scene. His familiarity with the area and the victims, as well as his involvement in the drug deal that preceded the robbery, made him a pivotal figure in the planning and execution of the crime. His later confession to police helped clarify the sequence of events and the specific roles of each suspect.
Martin Montalvo
Lastly, Martin H. Montalvo, a 19-year-old from Lufkin, played a central role in the plot. Montalvo, along with Sauceda, entered the residence with the intent to rob the occupants. His actions after the crime, such as appearing disheveled at a local restaurant and using a phone to report an emergency, drew significant attention from law enforcement. Additionally, surveillance footage captured him at the scene, and this evidence further solidified his involvement in the fatal robbery.
Together, these suspects represent a group of young individuals whose lives have taken a dark turn. Their involvement in a premeditated robbery that escalated into murder reflects a significant lapse in judgment and underscores the profound consequences of criminal actions. The case against them was built on a physical evidence, witness testimony, and their own admissions. This evidence paints a picture of a crime that was both brutal and tragic, resulting not only in the loss of a young life but also in the potential derailment of several others.
The Charges They Face
The state has charged the seven individuals connected to the murder of 18-year-old Angel Bonilla with capital murder, one of the most severe charges possible under Texas law. This charge reflects the gravity of their alleged actions and carries the potential for the harshest penalties, including life imprisonment without the possibility of parole or even the death penalty. The state underscores the seriousness with which it views the crime they are accused of committing by charging them with capital murder.
Capital Murder
Texas law defines capital murder as a murder that occurs under specific circumstances, such as during the commission of another serious felony like robbery, kidnapping, or burglary. In this case, prosecutors charged the suspects because they murdered Angel Bonilla during an armed robbery that they had planned in advance. The premeditated nature of the robbery, combined with the fatal outcome, meets the criteria for capital murder, which makes the charges against these individuals particularly severe.
The capital murder charge indicates that the prosecution believes it can prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the suspects not only participated in the robbery but also knew that their actions could result in death. To support this charge, the state must demonstrate that the defendants acted with intent and premeditation, fully aware of the deadly risks associated with their plan. Additionally, the involvement of firearms and the fact that multiple shots were fired into the residence where Bonilla was killed further weaken the defense’s position, as these actions suggest a clear disregard for human life.
Default Sentence Is Life Imprisonment
If the court convicts these suspects of capital murder, they will face life-altering consequences. In Texas, the default sentence for a capital murder conviction is life imprisonment without the possibility of parole. However, the court may also consider the death penalty in cases where aggravating factors are present, such as the involvement of multiple victims or the killing of a person under specific circumstances. Given the nature of this crime—an armed robbery that resulted in the death of a teenager—the possibility of the death penalty looms large over this case.
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FAQs on the Case Involving Angel Nectali Bonilla
Angel Nectali Bonilla, 18, was found shot to death in a home on West California Street in Nacogdoches after multiple reports of gunfire were received by the police.
Seven men have been charged with capital murder: Raul Molina Lopez, Nathan Joshua Sauceda, Santiago Mendoza, Gerardo Christopher Ocon, Lionso Antonio Torres, Eder Torres, all from Nacogdoches, and Martin H. Montalvo from Lufkin.
The suspects were arrested following an investigation that began when police discovered Bonilla’s body. Evidence and interviews led authorities to believe the suspects had planned to rob the home where Bonilla was found after a failed drug purchase.
THC vaping devices were reportedly the object of a planned robbery by the suspects. A man identified as Martin H. Montalvo was seen holding a box resembling THC vape packages found at the scene, leading police to connect him to the crime.
The investigation involved several agencies including the Nacogdoches Police Department, U.S. Marshals, Homeland Security, ATF, Nacogdoches Sheriff’s Department, Lufkin Police, Center Police, U.S. Postal Inspector, and the Nacogdoches Combined SWAT Team.
Hey there! My name is Olivia Ramirez, I graduated from Sam Houston State University with a bachelor’s of science in Psychology. I can’t help but scour the web for crime news and interesting stories. I write mostly true crime, anything from white collar crimes to the tragic murders across America. I try to mix in local news updates with big hitting scandals.
When I’m not typing away or searching for crime news, you’ll find me in bookstores looking for the new books to add to my backlog. Hanging out with my family or just relaxing with some cozy games to unwind from the day.
