Arrest Made in 25-Year-Old Katy Cold Case

KATY MAGAZINE NEWS

August 19, 2024

By Natalie Cook Clark

Justice is served as an arrest has been made in connection with a 25-year-old Katy cold case. Last week the suspect was extraditing back to Harris County from Colombia.

Guillermo Alex Castillo's booking picture from HCSO

A 25-Year-Old Murder

On August 27, 1998, suspect Guillermo Alex Castillo, 51, and co-defendant Yordin Bolanos, 47, allegedly killed victim Joel Gerhart, 26, at his residence at the 18000 block of Poppy Trails, the Autumn Run neighborhood in Katy.

“We believe that Gerhart invited them back to his home where they robbed him and killed him,” says Deputy Thomas Gilliland with Harris County Sheriff’s Department.

According to authorities, the two suspects were arrested right after the murder when they were found leaving the neighborhood under suspicious circumstances.

Suspect Excaped While Out on Bond

Defendant Bolanos was convicted of Capital Murder for his role in the murder in 1999 and is serving a life sentence. However, at the time Castillo had bonded out awaiting trail and cut his ankle monitor to flee for Columbia.

Ever since then local and International authorities have worked to find him. Recently new information came to light that helped local authorities in Columbia to apprehend Castillo, who had been running a business.

Justice Served

With the help of the United States Marshals, Castillo was extradited to Harris county last week where he is in currently in custody at the Harris County Jail without bond.

For extradition purposes, the charge on Castillo was reduced to murder. He is currently awaiting trial.

Harris County Sheriff’s Office are attempting to locate the victim’s next of kin, but a long time has passed.

“We’re hoping they will be elated with justice being served and the relentless work of law enforcement,” says Deputy Thomas Gilliland.

Harris County Sheriff’s Office actively pursues its many cold cases always hoping for more information to come to light.

“We want friends and family of Mr. Gerhart to know, that one of his accused killers is no longer a free man,” says Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez. “We are grateful to all who devoted their efforts to find justice for Mr. Gerhart.”

MORE KATY MAGAZINE

Follow Katy Magazine on Facebook for more current news

#LightbridgeAcademy #Town&Country