The Houston County Sheriff’s Office has made 4 arrests in the death of Michael Ortiz. On Friday, May 2, 2025, the Houston County Sheriff’s Office received a call concerning a possible body located on CR 4020 outside Crockett, Texas. Deputies and officers along with investigators from the Houston County Sheriff’s Office and the Crockett Police Department, with assistance from the Texas Rangers, worked till nearly 4 am gathering evidence and conducting interviews. On Saturday, May 3, Investigators from the Houston County Sheriff’s Office and Crockett Police Department interviewed multiple persons in an attempt to gather credible evidence into Ortiz’s death. On Sunday, May 4, investigators from the Houston County Sheriff’s Office and Crockett Police Department continued gathering evidence and interviewing potential persons of interest. On the evening of May 5, a car believed to be driven by one of our potential suspects was seized as evidence. On Tuesday, May 6, investigators from the Houston County Sheriff’s Office and the Crockett Police Department seized two other vehicles believed to be associated with the case as well as arrested two adults and two juveniles believed to be involved in the death of Ortiz. Additionally, one of the vehicles was searched with the help of the Texas Rangers. On Thursday, May 8, the other vehicles were searched with the help of the Texas Rangers, Houston County Sheriff’s Office investigators and Crockett Police Department investigators. We are actively working to finish up this case and bring those who are responsible to justice. We would like to thank the other agencies that have helped us tremendously. The Texas Rangers, Texas Department of Criminal Justice – Office of Inspector General, Crockett Police Department, and our own deputies and investigators, along with court personnel who have helped push through our arrest warrants and search warrants. We have others whom we believe are involved and are actively searching for them at this time.
UPDATE ON MICHAEL ORTIZ MURDER!!!
On Friday, May 23, 2025, officers with the United States Marshal’s Service assigned to the Fugitive Task Force, along with the Montgomery Coutny Sheriff’s Office and the Conroe Police, arrested the last two adult suspects believed to be involved in the murder of Michael Ortiz. One suspect was arrested in Montgomery County, Texas, and the other was arrested in Ellis County, Texas. We have been working with the task force since shortly after the murder of Ortiz in an attempt to bring these last two suspects to justice. The US Marshal’s Service is the premier agency for fugitive apprehension, and we appreciate their help and the resources they bring to bear when tracking dangerous, violent felony suspects. The two suspects will be brought back to Houston County in the very near future to be arraigned and stand trial for their actions.
Sheriff Zak Benge
Diego Ignacio Granados, age 17, of 405 S 9th in Crockett, Texas was arrested at 11 am Friday at 10140 Meador in Conroe. He is being held for Houston Coutny on a $2 million bond for murder.
