Anthony Valle is pictured in his mugshot. He was charged in the July 20 murder of a teenage girl he was grooming for sex
A Texas man who allegedly lured a teenage girl into sex then shot her dead has been charged in her murder.
Police say Atascocita resident, Anthony Valle, groomed his 14-year-old neighbor, Layla Ramos, into sleeping with him by giving her money, drugs and shopping sprees before ultimately killing her July 20 inside his home.
Valle claimed Ramos entered his residence unannounced that night before he pulled a gun and shot who he believed was a ‘home intruder’.
Evidence found there was an ‘inappropriate relationship’ that included ‘drug use and possible sexual misconduct,’ according to a statement from the police department.
Family members and friends told police the teen met and knew the ‘once friendly neighbor’ through his children – who were around the same age as the victim.
Ramos’ distraught mother, Alana Mock, later discovered the two had engaged in a sexual relationship.
Layla Ramos, 14, is pictured on Facebook. She died in July while visiting Valle at his home
Valle claimed he mistook the teen for a ‘home intruder’ when she entered his Atascocita home (street view of neighborhood shown)
Police believe the predator became worried when the teen girl threatened to tell.
‘I just thought he was a good person and he did this to my daughter, he is a sick evil person. Keep your kids close,’ Mock told KHOU.
It had been revealed that Ramos went to visit Valle – who intrigued her with the offer of a pricey gift.
‘He was promising her a car that night, so of course a 14-year-old is going to go over there and want a car,’ her mom said.
The teen (shown) apparently believed she would be gifted a new car from Valle when she went to visit him the evening of her murder
Ramos’ stepfather, Daniel Mock, said every day since she left has felt like a living ‘nightmare’.
Furious friends to the late teen shared their thoughts after learning of the charges against Valle.
‘Stupid b***h, i dont know how you think u would get way from this sh*t. U werent gonna get away either way,’ a loved one said.
‘I hope u are tourtued in there. N i hope all your family feels the pain like we do,’ she added.
‘Nothing is going to bring my daughter back … he took her away from all of us,’ her mom told the newspaper.
Valle will appear in court Thursday to answer to the charges brought against him.
Family and friends spoke out on the charges and said the past several months have been a ‘nightmare’ and that Valle is a ‘sick evil person’