Man wanted for murder in Houston arrested in Colombia

HARRIS COUNTY, Texas – A man wanted in connection with a 25-year-old murder case has been arrested in Columbia, according to Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez.

The sheriff said the U.S. Marshal's Service arrested Guillermo Alex Castillo and extradited him to the U.S. He is currently in custody at the Harris County Jail.

Investigators said Castillo and his co-defendant Yordin Bolanos were accused of killing Joel Gerhart on August 27, 1998, at a home on Poppy Trails in the Northglen area near Cypress Barker Road and FM 529.

Bolanos was convicted of capital crimes for his role in the 1999 murder and is serving a life sentence.

The sheriff said Castillo was released on bail and given an ankle bracelet. He cut the bracelet and fled to Colombia, where he has remained ever since.

The sheriff said the charge against Castillo had been reduced to murder for extradition purposes.

“We are trying to locate next of kin, but a lot of time has passed. We want Mr. Gerhart's friends and family to know that one of his accused killers is no longer a free man,” the sheriff said. “We are grateful to everyone who has worked to find justice for Mr. Gerhart.”