Police have arrested two brothers tied to the brutal beating death of their stepfather, who’s accused of sexually abusing his 9-year-old daughter.

Brothers Alexandro and Christian Trevino along with Juan Eduardo Melendez, all 18, are accused of beating 42-year-old Gabriel Quintanilla to death Thursday.

Quintanilla had a warrant for continuous sexual abuse of a child, police say.
A farmer discovered Quintanilla’s body and called McAllen police, who responded to an area south of McAllen at approximately 2:41 p.m. Thursday.

Lt. Joel Morales of the McAllen Police Department said Friday that the investigation had been turned over to the Pharr Police Department.

In a news release, Pharr police say the child made an outcry at an RV park in the 1200 block of East Moore in Pharr. Police later revealed that the child is Quintanilla’s 9-year-old daughter.

“When brothers Alexandro and Christian Trevino found out, they became enraged and confronted Gabriel Quintanilla at the residence. A physical fight ensued between the three and the victim Quintanilla left location on foot,” police said.

Alexandro is charged with aggravated assault and engaging in organized criminal activity while Christian and Melendez are charged with capital murder, aggravated assault and engaging in organized criminal activity.
In addition, Melendez is also facing a possession of marijuana charge.

Deputy Chief Juan Gonzalez said that Alexandro is not charged with capital murder because his brother and Melendez are the ones accused of dealing the fatal blows.

Quintanilla is Alexandro and Christian’s stepfather. Both brothers have different mothers and are half siblings of the child.

Alexandro is being held on a $1 million bond while his brother, Christian, is being held on a $1.5 million bond.
Melendez is being held on a $1,502,000 million bond.

Please sign this petition to lower the bond and release the brothers.