The Nacogdoches County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant this morning around 5:30 am in the 1400 block of CR. 521 that has led to the arrest of two individuals. Investigators with NCSO have been working an ongoing investigation into several drive by shootings the last few months that have occurred in the county. 

The Sheriff’s Office was able to identify a primary suspect in the case as Luis Juarez 17 years old who lives on Cr. 521. There also has been other drive by shootings that Juarez is a suspect in that has occurred in the city of Nacogdoches and Lufkin. 

During the investigation, Sheriff Investigators obtained two warrants for Luis Juarez for the offense of Deadly Conduct after investigators found probable cause that Luis was involved in two drive by shootings on Rigby Road in May of this year. 

Deputies conducted another investigation at Luis Juarez residence in reference to a drive by shooting early this month. There was several shell casings found in the roadway and driveway of the residence, however no one would cooperate in the investigation. 

Investigators collected evidence and obtained probable cause for a search warrant on the residence. During the search investigators recovered 5 weapons of the same caliber that have been used in several drive by shootings both in the county and the city. Three of the weapons have been reported stolen from car burglaries. Two of the weapons were stolen out of Lufkin, and the other weapon was reported stolen in the city of Nacogdoches. Investigators believe that the other two weapons are stolen as well, and will continue to investigate to determine who the rightful owners of these weapons are. 

Seized at the residence were two Glock .40 caliber pistols, one Springfield .40 caliber pistol, one 1911 .45 caliber pistol and one AR .223 rifle.  Deputies also seized crystal methamphetamine, cocaine, and marijuana and drug paraphernalia. Several items of ammunition were also seized. The guns and ammunition seized at the residence will be tested to see if they match bullet casings that have been recovered at other drive by shootings in Nacogdoches and Lufkin.  There were also several ski masks that were found with the weapons that have been seized. 
Luis Juarez has been charged with the following warrants that he had for his arrest:  2 counts of Deadly Conduct a 3rd degree felony,  a warrant for Assault Family Violence a 3rd degree felony. Additional charges from the search warrant include, Possession of a controlled Substance a 3rd degree felony, 3 Counts of Theft of a firearm a state jail felony and Tampering with evidence a 3rd felony.

 

 
Dalia Juarez was also arrested at the residence and charged with Possession of a controlled Substance a state jail felony, Theft of a firearm a state jail felony, resisting arrest or search and interference with duties of a public servant, both misdemeanor charges. 

 

 

This is the second time the Nacogdoches County Sheriff’s Office has conducted a search warrant at this residence. In August 2019 the Sheriff’s Office conducted a search warrant of this residence where guns and drugs were recovered. 

This investigation is ongoing and more charges are likely to be filed against Luis Juarez once forensic and lab results return on the weapons and shell casings.  No one has been injured in the drive by shooting that have occurred, however they have been several residences that were struck.  Sheriff investigators believe the motive behind the drive by shootings is gang related.