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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
FOR INFORMATION CONTACT: |
October 31, 2008 |
Dennis D. Harkins, Deputy U.S.
Marshal Public Affairs
Officer (602) 920-4858 |
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U.S. Marshals Capture and ICE DRO Officers Capture Mexican Homicide Suspect |
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Phoenix, AZ – The U.S. Marshals Service in collaboration with Immigration
and Customs Enforcement - Detention and Removal Operations (ICE-DRO) arrested
International Fugitive Jesus Gastelum. Gastelum was wanted in Culiacan,
Sinaloa, Mexico, on homicide charges.
It is alleged that Gastelum, a known gang member in Mexico, and three other
associates members stabbed a man to death in 1994 in Costa Rica, Sinaloa,
Mexico. After the three other men were arrested, Gastelum fled to the United
States. The three men stated that Gastelum was the individual who actually
did the stabbing. Authorities in Mexico contacted the U.S. Marshals’ Mexican
Investigative Liaison (MIL) Unit located in Phoenix for assistance in
locating and apprehending the alleged murderer.
After weeks of gathering intelligence it was determined that Gastelum was
now using the assumed name of Jorge Gonzales. Deputy U.S. Marshals (DUSMS),
assisted by ICE-DRO observed Gastelum departing his residence and conducted
a traffic stop. Upon questioning by DUSMS, Gastelum provided false
identification for Jorge Gonzales. Gastelum was arrested and immediately
placed into ICE custody. He will be returned to Mexican authorities pending
immigration administrative proceedings.
United States Marshal David Gonzales praised the work of deputies and law
enforcement officers adding, “The arm of justice has no boundaries. If you
are a fugitive and decide to hide in Arizona, U.S. Marshals and our partners
will find you and bring you to justice. An outstanding investigation
coordinated between Mexican authorities, our Mexican Investigative Liaison
Unit and ICE resulted in a murderer being taken off our streets.”
The U.S. Marshals Service is the nation’s oldest federal law enforcement
agency. Annually, U.S. Marshals arrest more than 50 percent of all federal
fugitives and serve more federal warrants than all other federal agencies
combined. For more information on other USMS Top 15 fugitives and USMS Major
Cases, go to www.usmarshals.gov.
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