PRESS AND NEWSLETTER ARCHIVE - MARCH 2024

Today, Hamilton County Prosecutor Melissa Powers announced the indictment of Lamonte Brewer and Shalonda Mixon for the shooting in Anderson Township. Lamonte Brewer (DOB 12/4/88) was indicted for one count of Felonious Assault (F2), one count of Tampering with Evidence (F3), and two counts of Having Weapons while Under Disability (F3). If convicted, Brewer faces a maximum possible sentence of 20 years in prison. Shalonda Mixon (DOB 8/23/88) was indicted for one count of Tampering with Evidence (F3) and one count of Obstructing Justice (F5). If convicted, Mixon faces a maximum possible sentence of four years in prison. On March 6, 2023 at approximately 8:30 in the evening, Hamilton County Sheriff Deputies were dispatched to the home of Joe Mixon in Anderson Township relating to possible shots fired. Upon arrival, witnesses on scene told deputies that teenagers in the neighborhood were playing “nerf wars” when apparent real shots were fired. One 16 year old victim was found suffering from a single gunshot wound to his foot after being shot at with 10-11 rounds of ammunition. The victim was Mixon’s neighbor playing nerf wars with toy nerf guns with his friends in his own yard when the real gunfire started. The teenager heard multiple shots whizzing by his head and immediately ducked behind a tree fearing for his life. Deputies responded quickly and stopped a vehicle leaving the scene. There were 2 occupants in the car. Shalonda Mixon, the sister of Joe Mixon was driving the car, and her boyfriend, Lamonte Brewer was in the passenger seat. During the stop, the Deputies located a firearm in the trunk of the vehicle which later was identified as the firearm used in the offense. A search warrant was executed for the surveillance footage from Mixon’s home. The surveillance video showed Brewer and Joe Mixon in Mixon’s backyard and Brewer firing multiple shots at the teenager. Later, Shalonda Mixon is seen collecting shell casings from the yard before Shalonda Mixon and Lamonte Brewer fled in her vehicle. Joe Mixon was seen carrying a firearm, but did not fire any shots. Mixon claims to have been receiving death threats and was concerned for his safety after his sister telling him there were people outside with guns. As a legal gun owner, Mixon had the right to possess the firearm and did not commit a crime. Hamilton County Prosecutor Melissa Powers commented, “I want to thank the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Department for their thorough investigation. It’s unbelievable something like this could even happen. It’s hard to fathom how anyone could aim a gun at a child, let alone shoot 10-11 times at them. It’s a miracle the child was not killed. Someone like this deserves to spend as many years behind bars as the law will allow.”

Today, Hamilton County Prosecutor Melissa Powers announced the indictment of Rodolfo Castillo. Castillo was indicted for six counts of Kidnapping (F1), three counts of Aggravated Robbery (F1), one count of Robbery (F2), four counts of Rape (F1), and one count of Attempt Rape (F2). If convicted of all charges, he faces a maximum possible sentence of 85 years in prison. On 2/13/23, Castillo contacted a transportation service and specifically requested a female driver to pick up a female passenger at 1440 West Kemper Road, an apartment complex in Forest Park. When the driver (victim, M.M.) arrived, Castillo entered the vehicle in the front passenger seat and directed M.M. to drive behind the apartment building. Once behind the building, Castillo stuck a large screwdriver into the ribs of M.M. and forced her into the backseat of the vehicle, threatening to kill her. Castillo tied M.M.’s hands and feet and forced her onto the floor of the vehicle. Castillo drove M.M. to her bank and withdrew money from M.M.’s bank account. Castillo then drove M.M. to a dark, secluded parking lot and forced her to perform oral sex on him. Castillo then drove M.M. to a gas station, indicated he would kill her if she told the police, and allowed her to leave. On 2/14/23, victim M.H. was leaving Kroger in Woodlawn. Castillo approached M.H. and offered her a ride. M.H. entered Castillo’s vehicle and they exited Kroger’s parking lot. As they were driving, Castillo took her phone. Castillo placed her phone in his pocket and punched her several times. Castillo threatened to rape and kill M.H. if she did not cooperate. At a traffic light, M.H. was able to open the car door and jump from the vehicle. A bystander assisted M.H. and called the Woodlawn Police. Castillo was able to get away before police arrived. On 2/16/23, victim J.I. received a text requesting transportation from 1440 West Kemper Road from a number she believed was a third-party mutual friend. When she arrived at the apartment complex, Castillo entered her vehicle, held a knife to her ribs, took her phone, and directed her to an unknown location to park. He forced J.I. into the back seat, where he tied J.I.’s hands and feet. Castillo forced her onto the floor of the back seat and drove off. Castillo took J.I. to a dark parking lot and raped her. Castillo drove her back to 1440 West Kemper where he raped her again, threatened to kill the victim if she told anyone, and released her. Castillo is currently being held at the Hamilton County Justice Center on a $775,000 bond. Hamilton County Prosecutor Melissa Powers commented, “This is every woman’s worst nightmare. I can’t imagine the terror these women went through. The courage it takes to survive something like this cannot be overstated. With this kind of predatory behavior, we are concerned there may be more victims out there. If you have any information relating to Rodolfo Castillo, we ask that you contact Forest Park Police Department at 513-595-5220.”