UPDATE on Arrest on Murder South of Cleveland

LIBERTY, November 23, 2004 - On November 20, 2004, the Cleveland Police Department received information about a possible murder that may have occurred in Liberty County. Subsequent investigation revealed that the offense had probably occurred outside the city limits of Cleveland. Liberty County Sheriff's Office investigators and Texas Ranger Frank Huff were notified and began their preliminary investigation. On November 21, 2004, at approximately midnight two search warrants were executed by the officers.

Jose Shofa Monreal, Jr.	Manuel Monreal

The first search warrant was served at a residence on CR 3316 in the Windood Subdivision. At that time Jose Shofa Monreal, Jr. was arrested for outstanding traffic warrants. Manuel Monreal was taken in for questioning by investigators and was subsequently charged with Tampering with Physical Evidence, a 3rd Degree Felony.

The second search warrant was served at another location on CR 3314 also in the Windood Subdivision. Both locations were secured and held by Sheriff’s Department Deputies until daylight to conduct a thorough search.

After sunrise Liberty County Sheriff’s Department Investigators, Texas Rangers, Cleveland Police Department Investigators, and the Liberty County Precinct 5 Constables Office divided into two teams and began searching the properties listed in the search warrants. The investigators were assisted in mapping the scene by the local Highway Patrol office using accident reconstruction techniques.

The investigators searching the wooded area on CR 3314 located a buried body which was exhumed and taken to the Jefferson County Morgue for an autopsy.

Investigators searching the residence on CR 3316 seized numerous items believed to be evidence in a murder that allegedly occurred on October 29, 2004.

On November 21, 2004, at approximately 10:00 p.m., Jose Shofa Monreal was charged with Murder. His bond was set at $500,000 by 75th District Court Judge C.T. Hight.

On November 23, 2004, a warrant for Murder was issued for Manuel Monreal and served on him in the Liberty County Jail. A warrant for Tampering With Evidence was also issued for Jose Shofa Monreal and served on him in the Liberty County Jail.

An autopsy was conducted by the Jefferson County Medical Examiner’s Office on November 22, 2004. Results of the autopsy are still pending. The victim has been identified but the name is not being released until family members have been notified.

Liberty County Sheriff Greg Arthur stated the case was cleared quickly because of the cooperation and capabilities of the many agencies involved.

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