February 2, 2025
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — An Arkansas State Police (ASP) investigation resulted in the arrest of an Atlanta man in Michigan in connection with the January death of a man found deceased at the Interstate 40 rest area near Ozark, Ark.
Darius Simmons, 30, was taken into custody by U.S. Marshals in Grand Rapids, Michigan, on Friday, January 31, 2025. He was charged with First-Degree Murder, Aggravated Robbery, Theft of Property, and Failure to Provide Information of an Accident Involving Injury in the death of German Portillo-Batres, 59, of Richmond, Texas. Portillo-Batres was discovered lying on the shoulder of the rest stop access road by a motorist at approximately 1:45 a.m. on January 4, 2025.
The Ozark Police Department requested ASP’s Criminal Investigation Division (CID) investigate. Felony arrest warrants were issued for Simmons based on information gathered by Special Agents. Extradition to Arkansas is pending.