Man arrested in deadly shooting of Crosby bar owner

James Rupert Howard has been arrested in connection with the shooting death of Ralph Lee Machala, the owner of a popular bar in Crosby, authorities said. James Rupert Howard has been arrested in connection with the shooting death of Ralph Lee Machala, the owner of a popular bar in Crosby, authorities said. Photo: Chambers County Sheriff's Office Photo: Chambers County Sheriff's Office Image 1 of / 3 Caption Close Man arrested in deadly shooting of Crosby bar owner 1 / 3 Back to Gallery

A man has been arrested on a murder charge in connection with the September shooting death of a Crosby bar owner, according to the Chambers County Sheriff's Office.

James Rupert Howard, 69, was arrested by Chambers County detectives and the Texas Rangers in Las Vegas, Nevada. He is currently in Chambers County Jail in lieu of a $1 million bond, authorities said.

Howard is charged in the killing of Ralph Lee Machala, the 58-year-old owner of Pooky's Ice House, a popular bar in Crosby, authorities said. Machala's body was found by a local Realtor Sept. 21 on FM2345 after tropical depression Imelda swept through the area.

Evidence indicated that Machala was shot at another location, and his body was left in the area where it was found, authorities said.

Julian Gill is a digital reporter in Houston. Read him on our breaking news site, Chron.com, and on our subscriber site, houstonchronicle.com. | julian.gill@chron.com