TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Name:  Cardenas, Ruben Ramirez

TDCJ Number:  999275

Date of Birth:  04/07/1970

Date Received:  07/29/1998

Age (when Received):  28

Education Level (Highest Grade Completed):  11

Date of Offense:  02/22/1997

Age (at the time of Offense):  26

County:  Hidalgo

Race:  Hispanic

Gender:  Male

Hair Color:  Black

Height (in Feet and Inches):  5′ 6″

Weight (in Pounds):  204

Eye Color:  Brown

Native County:  Guanajuato

Native State:  Mexico

Prior Occupation:  Laborer

Prior Prison Record:  None

Summary of Incident:  On 02/22/97, in Edinburg, Cardenas and a co-defendant committed the offense of capital murder against a 16-year old Hispanic female. Cardenas entered the victim's residence through a window, tied her up with duct tape, then put her in a vehicle with the co-defendant and drove to a remote location. Cardenas raped the victim, beat her severely with his fists, and strangled her, causing her death. Cardenas dumped her body into a nearby canal.

Co-Defendants:  Castillo, Tony

Race and Gender of Victim:  Hispanic female