Joel Gerhart killed: Officials arrest and charge 50-year-old Guillermo Castillo with murder of gay man in 1998

KATY, Texas (KTRK) — Nearly 3,000 miles from Houston, authorities say an arrest has been made in a 25-year-old unsolved case.

Sheriff Ed Gonzalez posted on social media that 50-year-old Guillermo Castillo was extradited for his alleged role in the 1998 murder of Joel Gerhart in Katy.

According to the Harris County District Attorney's Office, Castillo and his co-defendant Yordin Bolanos are accused of fatally beating Gerhart, who identified as gay, in a hate crime while attempting to steal a television.

Deputies said Castillo was found covered in blood.

At the time, Castillo was charged with capital crimes. He was released on bail and given an ankle bracelet, which he removed before fleeing to Colombia, where he has lived ever since.

According to officials, Castillo was arrested while applying for a visa at the U.S. embassy in Colombia.

Officials confirm that Colombia delayed the extradition for two years because of the threat of the death penalty. Officials say the charge has been downgraded from capital crime to murder. If convicted, Castillo faces a life sentence.

Bolanos was convicted of capital crimes in 1999 and is serving a life sentence.

Castillo was extradited and arrived back in Houston on Thursday.

Investigators have stated that they are trying to locate Gerhart's family to inform them of the arrest.