Prison Guards Arrested (7:35am) Friday, Sep 5, 2008 @07:20am CST

Two prison guards at the John Middleton Prison Unit in Hamby face sexual assault charges.

Jimmy Lopez and Juan Lopez were arrested this morning. Sources tell KTAB and KRBC news the arrests stem from an incident at a party more than one year ago. The party occurred at a prison employee's Abilene home in June 2007.

Back then, Abilene police began investigating whether three men who worked as guards raped a female guard at the party. Sources tell us today's arrests are directly linked to that incident. The warden at the prison would not comment.

Calls have been placed to numerous state agencies and we'll bring you updates as we receive them. Both men have been released on $16,000 bond.

Third Suspect in De La Paz Murder Pleads Guilty (10:45pm) Thursday, Sep 4, 2008 Matthew Gonzalez pleaded guilty this afternoon in connection with the murder of 4-year-old Janie De La Paz. Gonzales is the third man to go to prison for her murder. In the early morning hours of January 21, 2007, the three men drove up to the home where the little girl lie sleeping in her bed, got out of the car, and sprayed the house with 23 bullets. In a written confession, one of the gunmen said the three intended to scare two teenagers who lived in the house. Islam Gonzales is serving a 30-year sentence, and Javier Mesa is behind bars for 40 years. Both pleaded guilty to the murder.

Matthew Gonzales is the last of men indicted to enter a guilty plea. He will serve 25 years in prison.

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