Strange circumstances in Seminole carjacking lead to arrest of Orange County deputy – Orlando Sentinel

The horrific saga of a South Florida woman who was kidnapped at gunpoint in Winter Springs last week and later found dead took a dramatic turn Monday when Seminole authorities linked the case to the recent arrest of an Orange County deputy and the death of brutal truck driver, who was shot at least 100 times.

Seminole County Sheriff Dennis Lemma said Monday that investigators are still looking for the people involved in the April 11 carjacking of Katherine Guerrero De Aguasvivas, 31, of Homestead. Her body was found Thursday evening in Osceola County, inside the charred remains of the white Dodge Durango she was driving when an armed, masked man kidnapped her in broad daylight at a busy intersection.

But one, unexpected arrest was announced Monday: that of Orange County Deputy Francisco Estrella, 33, who apparently leaked classified information about the carjacking case and its key players to De Aguasvivas’ husband, Miguel. Neither Estrella nor Miguel Aguasvivas are thought to be connected to the car theft itself, but Estrella faces multiple charges related to the leak. He was jailed and suspended without pay while his case continues in court.

“If you look at this thing, it’s right out of a TV show,” Lemma said.

Lemma also revealed an earlier chapter in the false story, which began on March 19 when a green 2002 Acura sedan – the same car later used in the kidnapping of Katherine Guerrero De Aguasvivas – was towed from an Orlando apartment for being illegally parked. . The car had no tag or title. It is not clear how the car ended up in the hands of the suspects.

But on April 10, a green Acura or a vehicle matching his description was seen again, Lemma said, leaving the scene of the shooting of tow truck driver Juan Luis Citron Garcia in the 9600 block of 8th Avenue near the Stadium. Orlando International Airport. Cintron Garcia was found surrounded by 100 shell casings, most of which were 10 mm bullets.

A day later, De Aguasvivas was kidnapped at gunpoint at the intersection of East Lake Drive and Tuskawilla Road in Winter Springs. He had driven earlier that day from Homestead, reportedly to visit family in the area.

Law enforcement officials have said they believe the green Acura followed the Durango intentionally, though they have not publicly speculated why, or said how long it followed the SUV.

Then on April 13, a green Acura was found illegally parked again, and it was towed from an Orange County apartment complex. Orange County Sheriff’s Office detectives took possession of the vehicle after matching its license plate number to when the vehicle was previously towed, according to Lemma.

“We still have very dangerous people on the streets,” Lemma said during the afternoon meeting. “They should be identified as armed and dangerous.”

Law enforcement officials are increasingly confused about the role of one of their own in the case.

According to the affidavit, Estrella twice called the lead Seminole detective in the carjacking case, using the alias “Francisco Archuela.” Apparently Estrella decided to get involved because his wife was a childhood friend of Miguel Aguasvivas.

Estrella recorded the conversation with the detective and sent it to Miguel Aguasvivas along with a photo from the detective’s driver’s license profile.

Suspecting that something was wrong, the detective confirmed Estrella’s true identity by looking at the phone extension that “Archuela” was calling. That led to the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, which hired him in 2022. A search of Miguel Aguasvivas’ phone — which he allowed — revealed records and photos, and deputies obtained a warrant for Estrella’s arrest.

“If he hadn’t picked up the phone, I don’t know if we would have ever known this,” Lemma said.

Estrella turned himself in to the John E. Polk Correctional Center and was charged with unlawful interception of communications, unlawful disclosure of communications, disclosure of confidential criminal justice information, among other crimes.

In his statement, Sheriff John Mina said his deputy is accused of “very serious allegations.”

“It is absolutely unacceptable for any law enforcement officer to abuse the power and authority of their job,” Mina said. “At the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, we hold our deputies to the highest ethical standards, and we will not tolerate anyone breaking the law within our ranks.”

Lemma told reporters the deputy’s actions had no bearing on his agency’s investigation but questioned Aguasvivas’ motivation for obtaining the information.

Before his wife was kidnapped, Lemma said he called Aguasvivas to tell him he was being followed. Aguasvivas told him not to get out of the car but did not report the pursuit or his disappearance to the authorities.

Although Aguasvivas is not considered a suspect or person of interest, Lemma said he found it strange that Aguasvivas did not call 911 if he believed his wife was in danger.

“I think there are a lot of blanks that he can help fill in regarding the circumstances surrounding this crime and, now, possibly other crimes,” Lemma said.