GUILTY TX - Samuel Olson, 5, found deceased, Houston, 27 May 2021 *ARRESTS* #3

[GoBuckeyes]

Thursday, September 5th:
*Pretrial Hearing (@ 9am CT) - TX - Samuel Olson (5, would have been 6 on 5/29/21) (it was reported that he was taken by an unknown male from a southwest Houston home in the 8800 block of McAvoy Dr. at about 7:30am on May 27, 2021, but he had been missing for 2 weeks before this, found June 1, 2021 inside a tote bag in the Best Western motel in Jasper). – *Benjamin D. Rivera (27/now 31) arrested (6/22/21), charged (6/23/21) & indicted (6/26/21) with tampering/fabricating evidence in the death of 5-year-old Samuel. $100K bond. Posted bond on 6/23/21 & is out. Harris County
Trial was set to begin on 6/3/24 continued on 9/23/24.
Case info from 6/23/21 to 10/24/23 reference post #430 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...5-houston-27-may-2021-arrest-3.573761/page-22
1/2/24 Update: Next pretrial conference hearing on 2/12/24, Trial has been continued on 6/3/24. 4/8/24 Docket update: Order-granting motion in camera inspection. 5/2/24 Docket update: Order-granting psych. exam/sanity. Order-granting psych. exam/competency.
5/28/24 Docket update: Defense's Motion for continuance of trial-granted. Next pretrial hearing on 9/5/24 @ 9am & trial is now set to begin on 9/23/24 @ 9am.
*Theresa Raye Balboa (29/now 32) – Plea hearing on 5/17/23 plead guilty to 1st degree murder & sentenced to 52 years in prison. Must serve 26 years before eligible for parole.
*Dylan Ray Walker (27/now 30) – no hearing set as of 9/10/21. Out of custody. Jasper County

Why is Dylan Walker not in custody?

 

[GoBuckeyes]

I thought for sure this would be a DP case!?

 

[Seattle1]

Why is Dylan Walker not in custody?

Walker was only indicted for tampering with intent to impair, and he bonded out of within hours of his arrest. Jasper County has no electronic records and no evidence he went to trial. I think charges were dropped or he plead down -- using his crime stopper tip that led to LE locating TB and Sam's body. JMO

Dylan Ray Walker, 28, was also found with Samuel's remains in Jasper and was later charged with tampering with intent to impair. Authorities later discovered he had called in a tip to CrimeStoppers, which led police to the motel.

"This is not justice," Woman accused of killing boyfriend's 5-year-old son, tampering with body accepts plea deal

 

[Niner]

No Activities.

Settings:
Date Court Post Jdgm Docket Type Reason/ Appearance Court Results/ Setting Type Defendant Future Date Comments Attorney Appearance Indicator
9/23/2024 09:00 AM 174 Trial Docket
Jury Trial
Data Not Entered O/D MTC GRNT'D To Be Set [me: wondering if this is a motion to continue trial??]

9/12/2024 09:00 AM 174 Master Docket
Pre-Trial Conference
N/A Data Not Entered JTRL: 9-23 To Be Set

9/05/2024 09:00 AM 174 Master Docket
Pre-Trial Conference
Reset By Agreement Of Both Parties
Data Not Entered 9/12/2024 JTRL: 09-23-24 Present

Next/Last Setting Date 9/12/2024

link: Office of Harris County District Clerk - Marilyn Burgess | Search Our Records

 

[GoBuckeyes]

Walker was only indicted for tampering with intent to impair, and he bonded out of within hours of his arrest. Jasper County has no electronic records and no evidence he went to trial. I think charges were dropped or he plead down -- using his crime stopper tip that led to LE locating TB and Sam's body. JMO

Isn't he the brother who actually killed the boy, or do I have my cases mixed up, again!?

 

[Seattle1]

Isn't he the brother who actually killed the boy, or do I have my cases mixed up, again!?

Nope -- wrong case.

 

[GoBuckeyes]

Nope -- wrong case.

I figured I was mixing cases up again. I'm very good at that.

 

[Niner]

Thursday, Sept. 12th:
*Pretrial Hearing (@ 9am CT) - TX - Samuel Olson (5, would have been 6 on 5/29/21) (it was reported that he was taken by an unknown male from a southwest Houston home in the 8800 block of McAvoy Dr. at about 7:30am on May 27, 2021, but he had been missing for 2 weeks before this, found June 1, 2021 inside a tote bag in the Best Western motel in Jasper). – *Benjamin D. Rivera (27/now 31) arrested (6/22/21), charged (6/23/21) & indicted (6/26/21) with tampering/fabricating evidence in the death of 5-year-old Samuel. $100K bond. Posted bond on 6/23/21 & is out. Harris County
Trial set to begin on 9/23/24.
Case info from 6/23/21 to 8/2/24 reference post #440 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...5-houston-27-may-2021-arrest-3.573761/page-22
5/28/24 Docket update: Defense's Motion for continuance of trial-granted. Next pretrial hearing on 9/5/24 @ 9am & trial is now set to begin on 9/23/24 @ 9am.
9/5/24 Update: Pretrial conference rest by agreement of both parties. Next pretrial conference on 9/12/24 @ 9am. Trial on 9/23/24 MIGHT have been continued.
*Theresa Raye Balboa (29/now 32) – Plea hearing on 5/17/23 plead guilty to 1st degree murder & sentenced to 52 years in prison. Must serve 26 years before eligible for parole.
*Dylan Ray Walker (27/now 30) – no hearing set as of 9/10/21. Out of custody. Jasper County

 

[Niner]

Geez - trial continued....

Activities:
Date Type Description SNU/CFI
09/12/2024 ORDER GRTD MTN APPT FUNDS MITIGATION SNU: 982 09/12/24
09/12/2024 OFFENSE TAMP W/EVIDENCE - HUMAN CORPSE LEVEL F2 09/12/24

09/12/2024 ORDER AGREED CONTINUANCE GRANTED SNU: 983 09/12/24
09/12/2024 OFFENSE TAMP W/EVIDENCE - HUMAN CORPSE LEVEL F2 09/12/24


Settings:
Date Court Post Jdgm Docket Type Reason/ Appearance Court Results/ Setting Type Defendant Future Date Comments Attorney Appearance Indicator
4/07/2025 09:00 AM 174 Trial Docket
Jury Trial
Data Not Entered To Be Set

3/18/2025 09:00 AM 174 Master Docket
Pre-Trial Conference
N/A Data Not Entered JTRL: 04-07-25 To Be Set

9/12/2024 09:00 AM 174 Master Docket
Pre-Trial Conference
Reset By Agreement Of Both Parties
Present 3/18/2025 JTRL: 9-23 To Be Set


Next/Last Setting Date 3/18/2025

link: Office of Harris County District Clerk - Marilyn Burgess | Search Our Records

 

[Niner]

Tuesday, March 18th:
*Pretrial Conference Hearing (@ 9am CT) - TX - Samuel Olson (5, would have been 6 on 5/29/21) (it was reported that he was taken by an unknown male from a southwest Houston home in the 8800 block of McAvoy Dr. at about 7:30am on May 27, 2021, but he had been missing for 2 weeks before this, found June 1, 2021 inside a tote bag in the Best Western motel in Jasper). – *Benjamin D. Rivera (27/now 31) arrested (6/22/21), charged (6/23/21) & indicted (6/26/21) with tampering/fabricating evidence in the death of 5-year-old Samuel. $100K bond. Posted bond on 6/23/21 & is out. Harris County
Trial was set to begin on 9/23/24 continued on 4/7/25.
Case info from 6/23/21 to 5/28/24 reference post #448 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...5-houston-27-may-2021-arrest-3.573761/page-23
9/5/24 Update: Pretrial conference rest by agreement of both parties. Next pretrial conference on 9/12/24 @ 9am. Trial on 9/23/24 MIGHT have been continued.
9/12/24 Update: Agreed on trial continuance-granted. Granted motion to appointment funds for Mitigation. Next pretrial conference hearing on 3/18/25 @ 9am & trial is now set to begin on 4/7/25 @ 9am.
*Theresa Raye Balboa (29/now 33) – Plea hearing on 5/17/23 plead guilty to 1st degree murder & sentenced to 52 years in prison. Must serve 26 years before eligible for parole.
*Dylan Ray Walker (27/now 30) – no hearing set as of 9/10/21. Out of custody. Jasper County

 

[Niner]

Looks like trial on 4/7/25 has been cancelled & a plea hearing next.

Activities:
Date Type Description SNU/CFI
03/18/2025 ORDER AGREED CONTINUANCE GRANTED SNU: 981 03/18/25
03/18/2025 OFFENSE TAMP W/EVIDENCE - HUMAN CORPSE LEVEL F2 03/18/25

03/11/2025 MOTIONS AGRD MT CONTINUANCE SNU: 996 03/11/25

03/11/2025 MOTIONS FILED CFI 174 03/11/25

Settings:
Date Court Post Jdgm Docket Type Reason/ Appearance Court Results/ Setting Type Defendant Future Date Comments Attorney Appearance Indicator
6/24/2025 09:00 AM 174 Master Docket
Plea
Data Not Entered To Be Set

3/18/2025 09:00 AM 174 Master Docket
Pre-Trial Conference
Reset Upon Defense Request N/A Data Not Entered 6/24/2025 JTRL: 04-07-25 Present

Next/Last Setting Date 6/24/2025

link: Office of Harris County District Clerk - Marilyn Burgess | Search Our Records

 

[Niner]

Tuesday, June 24th:
*Plea Hearing (@ 9am CT) - TX - Samuel Olson (5, would have been 6 on 5/29/21) (it was reported that he was taken by an unknown male from a southwest Houston home in the 8800 block of McAvoy Dr. at about 7:30am on May 27, 2021, but he had been missing for 2 weeks before this, found June 1, 2021 inside a tote bag in the Best Western motel in Jasper). – *Benjamin D. Rivera (27/now 31) arrested (6/22/21), charged (6/23/21) & indicted (6/26/21) with tampering/fabricating evidence in the death of 5-year-old Samuel. $100K bond. Posted bond on 6/23/21 & is out. Harris County
Trial was set to begin on 4/7/25 was vacated with plea hearing on 6/24/25.
Case info from 6/23/21 thru 9/5/24 reference post #450 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...5-houston-27-may-2021-arrest-3.573761/page-23
9/12/24 Update: Agreed on trial continuance-granted. Granted motion to appointment funds for Mitigation. Next pretrial conference hearing on 3/18/25 @ 9am & trial is now set to begin on 4/7/25 @ 9am.
3/11/25 Docket update: Motions-Agreed Motion for trial continuance. 3/18/25 Docket update: Order continuance of trial granted. 3/18/25 Update: Next plea hearing on 6/24/25 @ 9am.
*Theresa Raye Balboa (29/now 33) – Plea hearing on 5/17/23 plead guilty to 1st degree murder & sentenced to 52 years in prison. Must serve 26 years before eligible for parole.
*Dylan Ray Walker (27/now 32) – no hearing set as of 9/10/21. Out of custody. Jasper County

 

[girlhasnoname]

Tuesday, June 24th:
*Plea Hearing (@ 9am CT) - TX - Samuel Olson (5, would have been 6 on 5/29/21) (it was reported that he was taken by an unknown male from a southwest Houston home in the 8800 block of McAvoy Dr. at about 7:30am on May 27, 2021, but he had been missing for 2 weeks before this, found June 1, 2021 inside a tote bag in the Best Western motel in Jasper). – *Benjamin D. Rivera (27/now 31) arrested (6/22/21), charged (6/23/21) & indicted (6/26/21) with tampering/fabricating evidence in the death of 5-year-old Samuel. $100K bond. Posted bond on 6/23/21 & is out. Harris County
Trial was set to begin on 4/7/25 was vacated with plea hearing on 6/24/25.
Case info from 6/23/21 thru 9/5/24 reference post #450 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...5-houston-27-may-2021-arrest-3.573761/page-23
9/12/24 Update: Agreed on trial continuance-granted. Granted motion to appointment funds for Mitigation. Next pretrial conference hearing on 3/18/25 @ 9am & trial is now set to begin on 4/7/25 @ 9am.
3/11/25 Docket update: Motions-Agreed Motion for trial continuance. 3/18/25 Docket update: Order continuance of trial granted. 3/18/25 Update: Next plea hearing on 6/24/25 @ 9am.
*Theresa Raye Balboa (29/now 33) – Plea hearing on 5/17/23 plead guilty to 1st degree murder & sentenced to 52 years in prison. Must serve 26 years before eligible for parole.
*Dylan Ray Walker (27/now 32) – no hearing set as of 9/10/21. Out of custody. Jasper County

Grrrrr...Who in the hades helps someone move a dead child's body in a plastic tote? Is BR the one who notified the authorities?

TB will be 59 before she's eligible for parol or 57 minus the 2 years if sitting in jail is considered part of time served. I don't see her getting out then, at least I hope not IMO. No amount of time served by TB will ever be enough to me.

JMO

 

[Seattle1]

Looks like trial on 4/7/25 has been cancelled & a plea hearing next.

Activities:
Date Type Description SNU/CFI
03/18/2025 ORDER AGREED CONTINUANCE GRANTED SNU: 981 03/18/25
03/18/2025 OFFENSE TAMP W/EVIDENCE - HUMAN CORPSE LEVEL F2 03/18/25

03/11/2025 MOTIONS AGRD MT CONTINUANCE SNU: 996 03/11/25

03/11/2025 MOTIONS FILED CFI 174 03/11/25

Settings:
Date Court Post Jdgm Docket Type Reason/ Appearance Court Results/ Setting Type Defendant Future Date Comments Attorney Appearance Indicator
6/24/2025 09:00 AM 174 Master Docket
Plea
Data Not Entered To Be Set

3/18/2025 09:00 AM 174 Master Docket
Pre-Trial Conference
Reset Upon Defense Request N/A Data Not Entered 6/24/2025 JTRL: 04-07-25 Present

Next/Last Setting Date 6/24/2025

link: Office of Harris County District Clerk - Marilyn Burgess | Search Our Records

TB pled guilty two years ago-- can't believe this 'tampering with evidence' charge by roommate Ben Rivera wasn't also disposed years ago -- especially if a plea deal was already in the works! I suppose there was no incentive by the parties here since the defendant has been out on bond.


6/21/21 -- Man charged with tampering with evidence in Samuel Olson case bonds out

 

[Seattle1]

Grrrrr...Who in the hades helps someone move a dead child's body in a plastic tote? Is BR the one who notified the authorities?

TB will be 59 before she's eligible for parol or 57 minus the 2 years if sitting in jail is considered part of time served. I don't see her getting out then, at least I hope not IMO. No amount of time served by TB will ever be enough to me.

JMO

No, that was Dylan Walker and his case in another county (Jasper) just seemed to fall off the radar.

 

[Niner]

I don't know "what" is wrong with Harris County courts - but they ALWAYS have "reset"....

No Activities

Settings:
Date Court Post Jdgm Docket Type Reason/ Appearance Court Results/ Setting Type Defendant Future Date Comments Attorney Appearance Indicator
6/26/2025 09:00 AM 174 Master Docket
Plea
Data Not Entered PLEA To Be Set

6/24/2025 09:00 AM 174 Master Docket
Plea
Reset Upon Defense Request N/A Present 6/26/2025 Present


Next/Last Setting Date 6/26/2025

link: Office of Harris County District Clerk - Marilyn Burgess | Search Our Records

 

[girlhasnoname]

No, that was Dylan Walker and his case in another county (Jasper) just seemed to fall off the radar.

According to this article it was Samuel Olsen, unless I'm completely off base (which is possible):

<snipped>

HOUSTON - In a case involving a 5-year-old Houston boy, whose body was found inside a Jasper motel days after he was reported missing, an arrest affidavit reveals Samuel Olson died weeks before.

On Wednesday, police arrested Theresa Balboa in connection with tampering with Samuel's body. Investigators say Balboa was Samuel's father's girlfriend but the story seems to be a little more complex.

A couple of days later, the roommate told officials he bought some duct tape and a plastic tote bag at an area Wal-Mart, where they later placed Samuel’s body. Police paperwork claims the two took Samuel’s body (now in the tote bag) at a storage unit near their home.

https://www.fox26houston.com/news/a...-decomposed-body-was-carried-around-for-weeks

 

[Seattle1]

I don't know "what" is wrong with Harris County courts - but they ALWAYS have "reset"....

No Activities

Settings:
Date Court Post Jdgm Docket Type Reason/ Appearance Court Results/ Setting Type Defendant Future Date Comments Attorney Appearance Indicator
6/26/2025 09:00 AM 174 Master Docket
Plea
Data Not Entered PLEA To Be Set

6/24/2025 09:00 AM 174 Master Docket
Plea
Reset Upon Defense Request N/A Present 6/26/2025 Present


Next/Last Setting Date 6/26/2025

link: Office of Harris County District Clerk - Marilyn Burgess | Search Our Records

According to this article it was Samuel Olsen, unless I'm completely off base (which is possible):

<snipped>

HOUSTON - In a case involving a 5-year-old Houston boy, whose body was found inside a Jasper motel days after he was reported missing, an arrest affidavit reveals Samuel Olson died weeks before.

On Wednesday, police arrested Theresa Balboa in connection with tampering with Samuel's body. Investigators say Balboa was Samuel's father's girlfriend but the story seems to be a little more complex.

A couple of days later, the roommate told officials he bought some duct tape and a plastic tote bag at an area Wal-Mart, where they later placed Samuel’s body. Police paperwork claims the two took Samuel’s body (now in the tote bag) at a storage unit near their home.

Affidavit reveals 5-year-old Samuel Olson’s decomposed body was carried around for weeks

Sorry, I must have misunderstood OP's question. Samuel Olson is the victim. I thought the question was about which of the three suspects charged here contacted Crime Stoppers. The case before the court today is for the roommate, Benjamin Rivera. Rivera did not call Crime Stoppers.

 

[Niner]

Thursday, June 26th:
*Plea Hearing (@ 9am CT) - TX - Samuel Olson (5, would have been 6 on 5/29/21) (it was reported that he was taken by an unknown male from a southwest Houston home in the 8800 block of McAvoy Dr. at about 7:30am on May 27, 2021, but he had been missing for 2 weeks before this, found June 1, 2021 inside a tote bag in the Best Western motel in Jasper). – *Benjamin D. Rivera (27/now 31) arrested (6/22/21), charged (6/23/21) & indicted (6/26/21) with tampering/fabricating evidence in the death of 5-year-old Samuel. $100K bond. Posted bond on 6/23/21 & is out. Harris County
Trial was set to begin on 4/7/25 was vacated with plea hearing on 6/24/25.
Case info from 6/23/21 thru 3/11/25 reference post #452 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...5-houston-27-may-2021-arrest-3.573761/page-23
3/18/25 Update: Next plea hearing on 6/24/25 @ 9am. 6/24/25 Update: Plea hearing was reset per defense request on 6/26/25.
*Theresa Raye Balboa (29/now 33) – Plea hearing on 5/17/23 plead guilty to 1st degree murder & sentenced to 52 years in prison. Must serve 26 years before eligible for parole.
*Dylan Ray Walker (27/now 31) – no hearing set as of 9/10/21. Out of custody. Jasper County

 

[imstilla.grandma]

According to records, Rivera was the roommate of Theresa Balboa, who has since been sentenced to 52 years in prison for the young boy's death, and helped her hide Samuel's body after she killed him.

On Thursday, Rivera appeared in court, where he entered a guilty plea, according to records.

Man pleads guilty to helping hide body of 5-year-old Sam Olson after 2021 murder, records show

The 5-year-old's death and the shocking cover-up attempt gripped Houston for days in 2021, before the boy's body was found in a motel room.

abc13.com