Escapee sentenced to 70 years for beatings

A suspect in the robbery and beatings of two Harlingen residents received two 70 year prison sentences after pleading guilty to both attacks – one against a business owner - that occurred three days apart in April 2009.

Miguel Angel Alvarado, 32, of Harlingen, is accused of beating Juanita Davis, 68, owner of San Manuel Gifts and Jewelry, 1617 E. Harrison Ave. in Harlingen on April 8, 2009.

Three days earlier, he brutally attacked Lino Ramirez, 53, a construction worker in Harlingen, leaving him unconscious in a closet in a new home that was under construction.

Alvarado appeared before 107th state District Judge Benjamin Euresti Jr. of Cameron County, on Tuesday where he entered a guilty plea to two counts of aggravated robbery, one count of evading arrest with a motor vehicle and an enhancement count because of two prior convictions - one an attempted murder charge.

Euresti assessed a 70 year prison sentence on each aggravated robbery charge. He will serve the sentences concurrently, which means he will serve them at the same time instead of 140 years in prison that they total.

In addition, Alvarado received two years in the state jail for an evading arrest charge and one year to an enhancement count.

"Mr. Alvarado was prosecuted as an habitual offender," Chief First Assistant District Attorney Charles E. Mattingly Jr., said in a written statement "It is defendants like this that need to be incarcerated for a very long time." 

"We hope that this 70-year sentence sends a strong message to anyone who would harm the elderly and that this type of conduct will not be tolerated in our community," Mattingly said.

A mail carrier found Davis lying in a pool of blood at her shop on the day of the robbery, another neighboring business owner said at that time.

Police said that jewelry and Davis’ checkbook were found in the car Alvarado was driving when he was arrested.

It was not immediately known what Alvarado robbed Ramirez of.

Minutes after his sentencing, a tearful Alvarado apologized to all the parties involved including the Cameron County District Attorney’s Office, the Davis family and his own family as well.

"I want to apologize to my family for dragging them through this mess," Alvarado said. "I accept my responsibility."

In a letter he released to the Brownsville Herald, Alvarado writes "I place no objection to signing 70 years or 60 for the ministry of Jesus Christ in the prison system where peace is needed."

He also writes "A great Christian is one who is small enough to let God be great in his life."

The letter was given to the Herald by Alex Dominguez, Alvarado’s defense attorney.

About two weeks after his April 10 arrest on the robbing and beating of Davis, Alvarado escaped from the Carrizalez-Rucker Detention Center in Olmito. Authorities said he walked away from the jail by claiming to be another inmate.

He was wearing an inmate bracelet that contained the name of another inmate who was scheduled to be released April 20. Alvarado was arrested the following day at the Rivera High School cafeteria in Brownsville.

Authorities said Alvarado had been hiding out at a nearby residence, but ran to the school after sheriff's deputies went to the home. He was apprehended at the school without incident. has been sentenced to 70 years in prison after pleading guilty to beating and robbing her at the business in April 2009.