Additional sentences given in 2004 Baytown homicide

BAYTOWN, Texas – Two men were convicted to prison sentences for their involvement in a 2004 homicide in Baytown.

Thirty-year-old Santiago Garcia was killed on Nov. 15, 2004 and was found on a sidewalk near his residence on Georgia Street.

Juan Magana was sentenced to life in prison on Dec. 4 for firing the fatal shots that killed Garcia. Daniel Torres was sentenced to 15 years in prison Saturday for driving the getaway car.

Another man, Arutro Chavez Jr., was sentenced to life in prison on Nov. 22, 2013, for his involvement in the murder.

Police say they suspected Chavez in the murder because of a recent dispute between he and Garcia over money. But investigators say they were unable to prove his involvement and the case went cold until 2010.

The Baytown Police Department partnered with the ATF, FBI and the Houston Police Department to launch the "Baytown Blackjack" task force which targeted Chavez's weapons and human smuggling operation. Officials say Chavez was affiliated with the Los Zetas cartel and recruited people to make straw purchases of weapons.

Authorities say Chavez sent a weapon to Mexico that was linked to the assault of two federal agents in 2011. Jamie Zapata, an agent with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement was killed in that attack.

Magana and Torres were identified as associates of Chavez who were also involved in the murder of Garcia, according to the Baytown Police Department. Police say that Torres confessed that Chavez wanted Garcia killed. Torres also told investigators that he drove Magana to kill Garcia.

"On behalf of the City of Baytown Police Department, I would like to thank the police officers and special agents who participated in operation "Baytown Blackjack." The selfless determination, persistence and teamwork demonstrated by these investigators provided closure to the family of Santiago Garcia and an end to Arturo Chavez's criminal enterprise," Baytown police chief C. Keith Dougherty said in a release.