This week, Bexar County Grand Juries handed down 306 felony indictments.
Aaron Gutierrez is charged with murder. The indictment alleges that on Dec. 16, 2021, Gutierrez intentionally and knowingly caused the death of Maria Gonzales by shooting Gonzales with a deadly weapon (firearm). The Criminal Trial Division is prosecuting this case in the 144th District Court. Murder is a first-degree felony punishable by 5 to 99 years or life in prison and a possible fine of up to $10,000.
Brandon Cervera and Miranda Casarez are charged in separate indictments with assault-intentionally or knowingly causing serious bodily injury by omission to a child. Cervera’s indictment alleges that on Aug. 17, 2021, Cervera intentionally and knowingly, by omission, caused serious bodily injury to Benjamin Cervera, a child who was 14 years of age or younger, in that Brandon Cervera had assumed care, custody and control of Benjamin Cervera and failed to provide adequate nutrition and hydration for Benjamin Cervera and that Brandon Cervera failed to seek proper medical care for Benjamin Cervera. It also alleges Brandon Cervera had a legal or statutory duty to act and failed to do so in that Brandon Cervera failed to provide adequate nutrition for Benjamin Cervera and that Brandon Cervera failed to seek proper medical care for Benjamin Cervera. Casarez’ s indictment alleges that on Aug. 17, 2021, Casarez intentionally and knowingly, by omission, caused serious bodily injury to Benjamin Cervera, a child who was 14 years of age or younger and that Casarez had assumed care, custody and control of Benjamin Cervera and failed to do so in that Casarez failed to provide adequate nutrition and hydration for Benjamin Cervera and that Casarez failed to seek proper medical care for Benjamin Cervera. The indictment also alleges that Casarez intentionally and knowingly caused serious bodily injury to Benjamin Cervera by withholding food and water from Benjamin Cervera. The Family Violence Division is prosecuting these cases in the 186th District Court. Assault-intentionally or knowingly causing serious bodily injury by omission to a child is a first-degree felony punishable by 5 to 99 years or life in prison and a possible fine of up to $10,000.
Rolando Garza is charged in two separate indictments.
- Kidnapping: The first count of the indictment alleges that on Feb. 20, 2022, Garza intentionally and knowingly abducted another person by secreting and holding the complainant in a place where she was not likely to be found; and without the complainant’s consent did restrain the complainant so as to interfere substantially with her liberty, by moving the complainant from one place to another. The second count of the indictment alleges that on Feb. 20, 2022, Garza intentionally, knowingly and recklessly engaged in conduct that placed the complainant, a child who was younger than 15 years of age, in imminent danger of death and bodily injury by leaving the complainant in a vehicle without adequate supervision; and Garza did not voluntarily delivery the child to a designated emergency infant care provider.
- Theft $2,500 to < $30,000 vehicle: This indictment alleges that on Feb. 20, 2022, Garza, with intent to deprive the owner of property, namely: an automobile, unlawfully appropriated said property, by acquiring and otherwise exercising control over the property, and said property being other than real property which had a value of $2,500 or more but less than $30,000 without consent of the owner.
The Family Violence Division is prosecuting these cases in the 187th District Court. Kidnapping is a third degree felony punishable by two to 10 years in prison and a possible fine of up to $10,000.
An indictment is not a finding of guilt. A person charged by indictment is presumed innocent until found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt by a jury or a judge. Because these and potentially other cases are either pending or may be under investigation, we can make no further comment on them.
Copies of indictments may be requested from the Bexar County District Clerk. Information on court settings can be found by searching the case online or directly from the court.