State Department Special Agent Aids in Capture of New Mexico Fugitive and Attempted Murder Suspect in Costa Rica

A U.S. State Department Diplomatic Security Service (DSS) special agent and the Costa Rican Interpol cooperated in a successful effort to locate and capture attempted murder suspect Nicholas Himmelsbach, who was arrested September 4 in Pavas, Costa Rica.

Himmelsbach is wanted by the Second Judicial Court, Bernalillo County, New Mexico, on charges including attempted murder and 11 related criminal charges.

The suspect also is wanted on a charge of failure to appear for arraignment on those charges.

The Diplomatic Security Service special agent assigned to the U.S. Embassy in San Jose began looking for Himmelsbach in August, acting on a tip that Himmelsbach fled to Costa Rica.

After the DSS special agent in San Jose confirmed that the suspect had outstanding U.S. arrest warrants, the Costa Rican Interpol captured Himmelsbach and Costa Rican immigration authorities deported him to the United States. DSS coordinated the deportation with other U.S. law enforcement authorities, including special assets from the U.S. Marshals Service.

Upon his return to the United States yesterday in Miami, Himmelsbach was being processed to be transported to New Mexico to face trial on the pending charges.

“Thanks to the diligence of the Diplomatic Security Service, the Himmelsbach case may come to a successful end. We hope that this will bring closure to the victims involved,” said Bernalillo County District Attorney, Kari Brandenburg.

Gregory B. Starr, Director of the Diplomatic Security Service, praised the cooperation DS has received from other law enforcement agencies in locating and returning Himmelsbach to the United States.

“Diplomatic Security’s Regional Security Office in Costa Rica maintains an excellent working relationship with the Costa Rican Interpol, who worked diligently with DS to locate Himmelsbach, thus enabling his capture,” said Director Starr. “Our special agent in San Jose also had great cooperation from all the authorities in Costa Rica and the U.S. Marshals Service, which permitted a rapid return of this fugitive from U.S. justice.”

“It’s this type of close worldwide law enforcement liaison capability that gives Diplomatic Security unparalleled ability to pursue, locate, and apprehend fugitives,” he said.

The Bureau of Diplomatic Security is the U.S. Department of State’s law enforcement and security arm. The special agents, engineers, and security professionals of the Bureau are responsible for the security of 285 U.S. diplomatic missions around the world. In the United States, Diplomatic Security personnel protect the U.S. Secretary of State and high-ranking foreign dignitaries and officials visiting the United States, investigate passport and visa fraud, and conduct personnel security investigations. More information about the U.S. Department of State and the Bureau of Diplomatic Security may be obtained at www.diplomaticsecurity.state.gov .

Contact:
L. Kendal Smith
571-345-2509
SmithLK2@state.gov