Lubbock Man Charged with Murder in Missing Person Case

LUBBOCK, TX — A man is in custody and facing murder charges related to a missing person investigation in Lubbock, according to a press release. Armando Champion, 57, was arrested without incident just after 10:00 p.m. on September 23. Authorities established probable cause to obtain an arrest warrant for Champion based on information gathered during the investigation.

Champion was apprehended in the 1900 block of East 1st Street by investigators from the Lubbock Texas Anti-Gang Center. The investigation began when metro detectives filed a missing person report for 54-year-old Elmo Minjarez, Jr., on September 16, after receiving information suggesting he was in danger.

On September 18, the Lubbock Metropolitan Special Crimes Unit and the Forensic Investigations unit launched a search in a rural area of South Lubbock. During this search, human remains were discovered, prompting further investigation.

Champion was transported to the Lubbock County Detention Center, where he was formally charged with murder and is currently held on a $200,000 bond.

The investigation remains ongoing as authorities continue to gather evidence in the case.