LONE STAR FUGITIVE TASK FORCE ARRESTS CAPITAL MURDER SUSPECT

San Antonio – The Lone Star Fugitive Task Force (LSFTF) arrested Victoria, Texas homicide suspect Jesse (aka Chuey) Tejeda Friday night in San Antonio. An arrest warrant was issued on June 14, 2007 in Victoria charging the 31 year old Tejeda with Capital Murder in the beating-drowning death of Juan Palacios 35, of Victoria. Tejeda is also an alleged member of the Mexican Mafia and was considered armed and dangerous.

On Thursday, June 28th, the Victoria County Sheriffs Office and the Texas Rangers in Victoria developed information that led them to believe Tejeda was hiding in San Antonio. The Texas Rangers in San Antonio (are members of the LSFTF) were contacted for assistance. Task Force members quickly began to do what they do best; locate and arrest dangerous and violent felons. After many hours of diligent work, LSFTF members believed they had Tejeda holed up in a house in San Antonio. Due to Tejeda’s known ties with criminal elements, the SAPD Repeat Offender Program (ROP) Unit as well as SAPD SWAT was called in to assist in the arrest. Tejeda was taken into custody without incident at approximately 10:00 p.m. Friday night.

The United States Marshal for the Western District of Texas LaFayette Collins said, “The Lone Star Fugitive Task Force was happy to assist Victoria County Sheriff T. Michael O’Connor in his relentless pursuit of this dangerous fugitive.”

Participating agencies in this arrest:

• Victoria County Sheriffs Office
• Texas Rangers
• Bexar County Sheriffs Office
• Comal County Sheriffs Office
• San Antonio Independent School District Police
• San Antonio Police Department /Repeat Offender Program/SWAT
• United States Marshals Service