A man from Austin suspected of double homicide was recently indicted for a drug crime.
On February 16, a criminal complaint was filed against 38-year-old Fernando Molina on a charge of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance. He was indicted in the second week of March.
Molina is also charged with conspiracy to commit murder in connection with the double homicide.
Per a report by CBS 11 News, authorities were investigating a drug-related double homicide incident in Parker County on April 11, 2021. The murders occurred in Whitt, approximately 20 miles from Weatherford.
According to the criminal complaint, the investigation led to a raid of the home of Jerome Thomas Watkins, allegedly a friend of Molina’s.
During the raid, investigators seized over 3,000 fentanyl-laced counterfeit pills. They also seized multiple firearms, as well as twenty cell phones that authorities say contained evidence of cocaine, fentanyl, methamphetamine, and heroin trafficking.
According to the criminal complaint, investigators found the seized phones allegedly contained conversations with a drug supplier. The drug supplier’s contact was saved as “Austin.” When investigators traced “Austin’s” phone number, it led them to Molina.
Investigators also found that the last device to contact a homicide victim before his death was a phone allegedly belonging to Molina, the complaint stated. Investigators added that another of Molina’s phones apparently pinged cell towers in close proximity to the crime scene at the time of the homicide.
Watkins was convicted in November 2021 of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine, methamphetamine, heroin, and fentanyl, possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, and possession of a firearm by a felon.
Watkin’s sentencing is scheduled for later this month.
