A jury in Starr County has sentenced a man to life in prison after convicting him of murdering a man in Roma more than two years ago.
In a news release, the Starr County District Attorney’s Office said the jury convicted Romeo Alberto Ibanez-Barrera last Thursday and handed him the life sentence on Friday.
The jury assessed an additional decade in prison on a tampering with evidence charge and slapped him with a $20,000 fine.
The jury found that Ibanez murdered Noe Manuel Ramirez on Nov. 8, 2020.
Roma police found his body on the corner of Hibiscus Street at around 6:30 a.m. that day.
A probable cause affidavit for Ibanez’s arrest said police recovered video evidence that showed a maroon Ram pickup truck with “apparent logos” on the backside and a large square-shaped water tank in its bed dumping Ramirez’s body on the street.
At 11 a.m. that day, the fire department was dispatched to 337 Bass St. for a report of fire and smoke within the city limits, according to the affidavit.
“A Roma Police Officer arrived at the location and quickly determined that one of the vehicles matched the description in the video used in the disposal of the body,” the document stated.
Investigators identified the owner of the residence as Ibanez, who gave police verbal permission to take a closer look at the fire and the vehicle.
“Upon a closer view of the vehicle, the Affiant was able to see and confirm that the seats were removed and a visible liquid substance was in the front passenger area that looked like blood,” the affidavit stated.
Investigators also found the vehicle’s seats being burned in a cinder block horse stable.
Roma police requested assistance from the Texas Rangers, who helped process the scene and gather evidence after authorities obtained a warrant.
“Affiant conducted interviews of persons that were identified and determined to have been at the location or residence on the hours before and after the murder took place. Based on these statements, the Affiant concludes and identifies two suspects as taking part in the murder of the victim to be Romeo Ibanez and Cristobal Vasquez,” the affidavit stated.
Vasquez is also charged with murder and online Starr County dockets indicate he is scheduled for a hearing later this week.
In the news release, the Starr County District Attorney’s Office said the trial lasted multiple weeks and said the jury heard from 27 witnesses and that jurors saw more than 1,000 exhibits.
