Missing Since: 2003-04-29 Location: Van Horn, Texas
Valdez was last seen as he was leaving Gilbert’s Lounge in the vicinity of the 300 block of east Broadway in Van Horn, Texas, at 2:00 a.m. on April 29, 2003. He has never been heard from again. His red Chevrolet pickup truck was found abandoned that same day, in an open lot near the intersection of Mesquite Street and Frontage Road, along Interstate 10 in Van Horn. This was a few minutes’ walking distance from the bar where he was last seen. A witness reported seeing Valdez in a fight with four other men the night he disappeared, near where his truck was found. Authorities were able to identify all of the men, but three of them have since died. The fourth is in a Mexican prison. He’s considered a fugitive from American justice; he fled to Mexico after he was convicted of child molestation charges in the United States and sentenced to 189 years in prison. Valdez frequented the Juarez, Mexico area in 2003. He worked at a truck stop. Foul play is possible in his case. Investigating Agency Culberson County Sheriff’s Office 432-283-2060 Source Information Texas Department of Public Safety The El Paso Times NewsWest 9 NamUs The Van Horn Advocate Updated 2 times since October 12, 2004. Last updated September 3, 2015; clothing/jewelry description added, details of disappearance updated.