Robbery plot leads to murder of 79-year-old Slaton man, Garza pleads guilty

LUBBOCK, Texas — Brett Garza, 38, pleaded guilty on Monday in connection with a 2019 plot to rob 79-year-old Celestino Rodriguez of his car and government check, which led to the man’s murder in Hale County.

Garza pleaded guilty to murder. He will be sentenced at a later date. He faces from five to 99 years or life in prison.

Rodriguez was reported missing on August 3, 2019. His vehicle was found in Temple, Texas and his body was later found near Abernathy. Garza, David Hampton and Heather Casias were charged with murder days later.

According to testimony from Hampton’s open plea in September of 2023 , Garza was dealing meth at a hotel and began to hang out with Casias. Garza said Casias came up with the plan. According to Garza’s previous testimony, Casias knew Rodriguez would have money coming in at certain times and wanted to set up a robbery.

Garza didn’t want to do it alone, so he recruited Hampton for help. Court records stated Casias lured Rodriguez to a preplanned location, and watched Hampton and Brett Garza assault him until he was unresponsive. After the assault, Rodriguez was left in the field.

Later, man named Toby Daughtry was seen walking along a highway in Milam County on August 8. A warrant said Daughtry told someone the car was stolen, and he got it from someone who had “beaten up an old man.” Court records stated Daughtry and Amanda Blagburn drove the car around Milano, Texas, until Hampton told her to get rid of the car because “it was involved in something bad.”

A map of all the relationships and connections, by Samantha Jarpe. Open the i mage in a new tab to see a high-definition version.

A total of six people faced charges in connection with the case. Authorities said Hampton, Casias and Garza were charged with murder. Daughtry and Blagburn were charged with Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle. Freddie Salinas and James Anderson were charged with tampering with evidence.

Lubbock Police name ‘persons of interest’ in missing Slaton man case – August 9, 2019

LPD: Felony arrest warrants issued in connection with the disappearance of Celestino Rodriguez – August 10, 2019

Police now seeking one more individual as person of interest in Celestino Rodriguez case – August 13, 2019

Missing man, age 79, was beat up and left in a field, new court records reveal – August 15, 2019

6 indicted in connection with Celestino Rodriguez murder – September 17, 2019

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