Two Frostproof Murder Suspects Arrested In Avon Park

Two Frostproof men were apprehended in Avon Park on Monday and charged in the death of another Polk County man, whose throat is believed to have been slashed.

Jose Santos Mata, 34, and his brother, Jorge Santos Mata, believed to be in his 20s, are charged with first-degree murder in the death of Julio Villatoro, 31, according to the Polk County Sheriff's Office.

A third man, Romeo Augusto Lemos, was also charged with murder.

At 7:49 a.m. Monday, Polk County Sheriff's deputies received a call in reference to a dead person who had been cut, according to a press release.

Units responded to 68 Brooks Ridge Road in Frostproof and met with Lemos, who reportedly told law enforcement that the victim had killed himself and was lying near the tree line.

Deputies were unable to find Villatoro in the spot Lemos had directed them. The suspect eventually told them Villatoro had been moved by the Mata brothers, according to the PCSO.

A dive team responded and eventually recovered the body from a nearby pond.

"There were obvious signs that Villatoro's throat had been slashed," the press release stated.

All of the men involved work for M. Avellaneda Harvesting in Frostproof and lived at the Brooks Ridge Road residence, the sheriff's office said.

The investigation alleges that Villatoro returned from a party and the men began arguing around 10:30 p.m., Sunday. The argument became physical and the victim was reportedly taken outside and held down while his throat was cut.

The body was disposed of in the pond the next day, according to the PCSO.

All the suspects had their first appearance Tuesday.