Woman who lured 79-year-old Slaton man to his death gets prison

LUBBOCK, Texas — Heather Casias, 39, pleaded guilty to Aggravated Robbery in connection with the 2019 plot to murder 79-year-old Celestino Rodriguez, who was found dead in Hale County.

Casias was sentenced to 40 years in prison.

Rodriguez was reported missing on August 3, 2019. Slaton Police issued a Silver Alert for Rodriguez, who was diagnosed with a “cognitive impairment.” His vehicle was later found in Temple, Texas. On August 15, Rodriguez’s body was found in Hale County in a field northwest of Abernathy.

According to a previous arrest warrant, Casias and Brett Garza, 38, made a plan to rob Rodriguez. Court documents stated Casias had known Rodriguez for a few months, and she knew he had received a government check for the month. According to court records, the plan was to rob Rodriguez of his money and car. Court records said Garza recruited David Hampton, 57, for help.

Court documents stated Casias lured Rodriguez to a pre-planned location, where Hampton and Garza were waiting. According to court documents, the two men “grabbed” Rodriguez and assaulted him while Casias watched. Court records said the three used Rodriguez’s debit card within hours of his death. Casias was eventually arrested on August 19, 2019. She was initially charged with murder.

Multiple people were held responsible in connection with Rodriguez’s death. Garza and Hampton were both previously sentenced to 50 years in prison for murder. Toby Daughtry and Amanda Blagburn were charged with Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle. Freddie Salinas and James Anderson were charged with tampering with evidence.

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