According to information released by the Schuylkill County District Attorney’s Office, Lamour Branch was sentenced to a minimum of 28 years to a maximum of 56 years in a state correctional institution. The plea was entered and accepted one day prior to the start of jury selection.
As part of the plea agreement, Branch admitted guilt in connection with both victims, where he pled guilty to third-degree murder for the killing of Hunter Mock, and also entered a no contest please to aggravated assault on Angelito Caraballo, and pled guilty to possessing an instrument of crime and tampering with physical evidence.
The case stems from an incident in which four individuals entered a heavily wooded area. Two individuals, identified as Hunter Mock and Angelito Caraballo, were killed, while two others exited the area and later provided accounts of what occurred. Authorities noted those accounts contained conflicting details.
The resolution follows what officials described as a lengthy two-and-a-half-year investigation led by Trooper Nicholas Reese of the Pennsylvania State Police. District Attorney Michael A. O’Pake and Senior Deputy District Attorney Jennifer Foose credited the state police for their work on the case, specifically highlighting Trooper Reese’s dedication and efforts in bringing the matter to a resolution.
Officials said the terms of the plea agreement were thoroughly discussed with the victims’ families, all of whom consented to the resolution.
Prosecutors also explained that the case presented several challenges, including the remote location of the incident and the conflicting accounts from surviving individuals. Based on the available evidence, including what was described as significant circumstantial evidence, charges were filed solely against Branch.
Authorities noted that another individual, Jahlique Sherwood, who was considered a Commonwealth witness, had been arrested on separate occasions for offenses including receiving a stolen firearm and carrying a firearm without a license, which would have impacted his credibility as a witness.
Prosecutors, along with state police, expressed hope that the resolution in Branch’s case provides some measure of closure to those affected by the incident.