El Paso Man Arrested in Connection with San Montego Apartments Homicide

On September 21, 2023, law enforcement officers made a significant breakthrough in the ongoing investigation into the homicide at San Montego Apartments, which occurred on September 12th. Authorities had been searching for a person matching the description of a subject seen on surveillance video from the murder scene. That day, they spotted the individual jaywalking at the 8500 block of Alameda.

Upon approaching the suspect, he attempted to evade the officers, resulting in a brief foot pursuit. Eventually, officers were successful in apprehending the suspect. He was identified as 23-year-old Jan Carlo Castillo of Mission Valley, El Paso.

Subsequent to his arrest, Crimes Against Persons detectives met with Castillo and officially charged him with the murder of 28-year-old Brian Valentin Almanza, who was found deceased inside his apartment at 9133 Kernel Circle, San Montego Apartments, on September 12th.

Castillo was booked into the El Paso County Detention Facility, where he awaits legal proceedings related to the murder charge.

The initial incident on September 12th occurred when officers responded to a 911 call reporting a damaged apartment door at San Montego Apartments, with the victim still inside. Brian Valentin Almanza was identified as the decedent. The preliminary investigation indicated that the reporting party had visited Almanza’s residence after being unable to reach him through calls or texts. Upon discovering the victim, she contacted emergency services, leading to the initiation of the homicide investigation.