WHITE CO.– A jury has found Miguel Ibarguren, 44, of Miami, Florida, guilty of the murder of 63-year-old Aristide Garcia, whose body was discovered along Interstate 65. The conviction comes after an extensive multi-state investigation conducted by Indiana State Police Detectives, who worked diligently with local, state, and federal agencies to gather evidence across several jurisdictions.
The incident that led to the murder charge began on March 8, 2022, when crews cleaning Interstate 65 at the 187.5-mile marker found an unresponsive male and called 911. First responders arrived to discover Garcia in a ditch, where he was pronounced dead at the scene by the White County Coroner. An autopsy performed on March 10 confirmed the identity of the victim as Aristide Garcia and ruled the manner of death a homicide.
Detectives later learned that Garcia had been reported missing by his employer in Cedar Rapids, Iowa after his semi-truck was found abandoned. Investigators believed that Ibarguren was Garcia’s co-driver for a national trucking company.
Following a thorough investigation, a warrant was issued for Ibarguren’s arrest on March 13, 2022. Detectives located him in Arlington, Texas, and took him into custody with the assistance of local law enforcement.
The White County Prosecutor’s Office was crucial in presenting the case, leading to the jury’s guilty verdict. Their thorough examination of the evidence and effective collaboration with law enforcement were key factors in achieving justice for Garcia.
The Indiana State Police expressed their gratitude to all agencies involved in the investigation, highlighting the essential teamwork for a successful outcome.
Sentencing for Ibarguren is scheduled for next month, and further details will be provided at that time.
