A Texas drug dealer who was murdered along with his pregnant girlfriend in a suspected deal gone wrong didn't shy away from illegal activities, brandishing wads of cash in photos uploaded to social media.
Matthew Guerra, 22, and Savannah Soto, 18, who was nine months pregnant, were found shot to death on Dec. 26, four days after they were reported missing after failing to show up for a scheduled hospitalization date. It was done.
Their alleged killer, Christopher Preciado, 19, admitted Wednesday to killing the young couple in Guerra's car but claimed it was self-defense, according to police records. was arrested and charged with murder.
Preciada's father, Ramon Preciado, was arrested along with his son on suspicion of helping move the bodies of Guerra and Soto after their unborn child was killed.
Christopher Preciado allegedly told officers he drove to his home to sell marijuana when Soto and Guerra pulled out weapons, according to an arrest affidavit. Obtained by Express News State.
A murder suspect claimed he scuffled with a drug dealer, stole his gun and shot him and his pregnant girlfriend in the process.
But police said that story is inconsistent with gunshot wounds to the head sustained by both Mr. Guerra and Mr. Soto.
Ramon Preciado then allegedly helped move his son's body to the parking lot of an apartment complex near San Antonio.
San Antonio investigators believe drug dealing played a role in the murder.
Guerra's family told police shortly after his body was discovered that Guerra was involved in drug sales and frequently posted photos of drugs and cash on social media.
“It was stated that the people attempted to rob the boyfriend and he had been shot before,” the affidavit states.
As Ramon Preciado was loaded into a police cruiser Wednesday night, he yelled at reporters who asked him if he had any regrets, denying that the drug deal had gone awry.
“Always fake news… Don’t you feel sorry for lying about what you’re saying?” I don’t even know what’s going on. Just make it up like you always do,” Ramon Preciado said.
The hunt for the Preciados came after police released surveillance footage earlier this week showing two men at the scene of the crime.
One of the suspects was behind the wheel of Guerra's Kia Optima, and a dark pickup truck driven by the other suspect pulled into the parking lot.
The man in the truck then grabbed a white towel and wiped down the Optima's door before the two drove off.
Police believe Soto and Guerra were already dead and in the car at the time the video was taken.
Soto's cell phone was later found near his body, which proved crucial in tracing the crime scene, and police reviewed the security video directly.
The vehicle led police to the home, where they found the father and son. He said the suspect, Ramon Preciado, answered the door and cooperated with investigators.
“He knew why the police were there,” said Sgt. Washington Moscoso during a press conference late Wednesday.
Police said Christopher Preciado was charged with secret murder and his father was charged with abuse of a corpse. Further charges are pending.
