Ex-deputy linked to fatal carjacking of Homestead woman seeks redemption: ‘I just want my life back’

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. – A former Orange County Sheriff’s Deputy Wednesday who was arrested and relieved of duty after investigators say he inserted himself into a fatal carjacking and shooting case of a Homestead woman is now sharing his side of the story.

Francisco Estrella, who is accused of contacting the lead detective under a fake name for information about the case involving Katherine Altagracia Guerrero De Aguasvivas, claims he received a call from her brother, Luis, hours after a man was caught on surveillance video jumping out of a green Acura and carjacking the 31-year-old mother at gunpoint in Seminole County.

Katherine Altagracia Guerrero De Aguasvivas, 31 (Seminole County Sheriff's Office)

“Somehow, they have implicated myself with all these heinous crimes,” said Estrella.

Estrella faces multiple felonies for his actions, which he asserts have wrongfully linked him to the crimes.

“I just want to get my life back,” an emotional Estrella said. “All he told me was that his sister had gone missing.”

His arrest is one of several recent developments in the case.

Most recently, 27-year-old Giovany Crespo Hernandez turned himself in to Seminole County deputies on Monday for narcotics-related offenses, following closely after his partner’s arrest on drug trafficking charges.

Authorities believe Crespo Hernandez was the last person who spoke with the victim over the phone, besides her spouse.

Detectives assert that not only do cellphone records substantiate this claim, but the victim’s sibling corroborated it through a video call, capturing an individual identifying himself as “Gio.”

Crespo Hernandez appeared in bond court following a raid on his home by federal agents, who discovered fentanyl, Rolex watches, and concealed firearms.

Authorities also believe Guerrero De Aguasvivas was en route to meet Crespo Hernandez in Castleberry before her abduction.

While Crespo Hernandez surrendered to deputies on Monday, Kevin Ocasio Justiano, also known as “Kevo,” was arrested in Puerto Rico the following day.

Detectives believe that Ocasio Justiano and Jordanish Torres Garcia were involved in the carjacking, while Kevo drove the green Acura and Torres Garcia held the gun while committing the kidnapping.

Jail records show both men are now facing federal charges, including armed carjacking resulting in death, for their roles in the incident.


About the Authors

Roy Ramos joined the Local 10 News team in 2018. Roy is a South Florida native who grew up in Florida City. He attended Christopher Columbus High School, Homestead Senior High School and graduated from St. Thomas University.

Ryan Mackey is a Digital Journalist at WPLG. He was born in Long Island, New York, and has lived in Sunrise, Florida since 1994.

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