by | Published
William Rojas, 28, has been sentenced to life in prison for the murder of Esbin Santiago-Gomez, as well as additional prison terms for tampering with evidence.
Hays County District Attorney Kelly Higgins announced the sentencing, which followed Rojas's guilty verdict on January 23, 2025. Rojas was found guilty of murder, tampering with evidence-human corpse, and tampering with evidence.
On March 18, 2025, Judge Sherri K. Tibbe sentenced Rojas to:
During the trial, prosecutors proved that Rojas murdered Santiago-Gomez with a firearm and then transported the body to Hays County. Rojas stripped the victim of identifying information and attempted to conceal the body.
The Hays County Sheriff’s Office led the investigation, with assistance from the Travis County Sheriff’s Office, Austin Police Department, Houston Police Department, and the Texas Rangers.
Assistant District Attorneys Christopher Griffith and Courtney Hansen prosecuted the case.
"Mr. Rojas’ callousness in the murder and his actions following the murder were shocking to all those involved," said ADA Griffith. "Without the hard work and dedication of detectives with the Hays County Sheriff’s Office, Rojas would not have been brought to answer for his crimes. We offer our deepest sympathies and condolences to Esbin Santiago-Gomez’s family and hope some measure of comfort is found in bringing him justice."
District Attorney Higgins commended the sentence as “well-deserved.”
