MOST WANTED
Couple facing animal cruelty charges
By BRENDA SOMMER bsommer@leader-news.com

SEPEDA

Two people wanted on animal cruelty charges are now El Campo's "Most Wanted" fugitives.

The Most Wanted program pays cash rewards for information leading to the arrest and grand jury indictment of felons. The program is a team effort of the El Campo Leader- News, the El Campo Police Department and West Wharton County Crime Stoppers.

On Dec. 7, police allegedly found three dogs in poor condition at 107 E. West.

"Two pit bulls and a puppy did not have food nor water," said El Campo Police Officer Cindy Howell, the Crime Stoppers coordinator. "They appeared malnourished."

The animals were seized by animal control and charges were prepared against two El Campo residents.

Diane Deases Garcia, whose most recent address was on FM 960, is 36 years old and 5-feet, 2-inches tall. She has brown eyes and black hair and weights 115 pounds.

Also wanted is Victor Rodriguez Sepeda Jr., 30, of 109 E. West. He has brown eyes and black hair, is 5-foot, 3-inches tall and weighs 150 pounds.

Both are wanted on warrants for cruelty to animals.

Tipsters can remain completely anonymous.

Of the 14 suspects sought in the Most Wanted program in its first year, nine were captured. Five of those captures can be directly attributed to the program.

Call Crime Stoppers at 543- 8477 if you have any information that could lead police to Garcia or Sepeda.

If you are aware of possible animal cruelty, call your appropriate law enforcement agency: El Campo PD at 543-5311 or the Wharton County Sheriff's Department at 543-1373.

You may also call anonymously to West Wharton County Crime Stoppers at 543-TIPS (543-8477).