TUCSON, Ariz. (LAWFUEL) – Two individuals – including one wanted for homicide – were returned to Mexico earlier this month after federal extradition proceedings were concluded in U.S. District Court. Both fugitives had been apprehended in Arizona by Deputy U.S. Marshals.
Efren Martinez-Valencia, a resident alien of the United States, was arrested in Tucson on April 29, 2008, after Mexican authorities learned that he had killed someone and fled to the United States. The Mexican government stated that on October 25, 2004, the victim left his home and went to a nearby tomato warehouse, where he met up with Martinez-Valencia and five other people who were drinking alcohol. The victim later argued with Martinez-Valencia about the price of a truck belonging to Martinez-Valencia and went to Martinez-Valencia’s house. Martinez-Valencia went inside his house, came back out, asked the victim what he wanted, and then shot the victim fatally in the neck. On November 24, 2004, the State of Michoacan issued a warrant for the arrest of Martinez-Valencia for homicide, and he was arrested in Tucson. Homicide is an extraditable offense under Article 2, Appendix paragraph 1 of the Extradition Treaty between the United States and Mexico.
Antonio Guillen-Alvarez, aka Isaias Salas, a U.S. Citizen, was wanted by Mexican authorities to finish serving 10 years of a 12-year prison sentence for drug possession. The Mexican government stated that on March 23, 1994, Guillen-Alvarez was arrested by Mexican federal agents in an airport located in Colima, Mexico as he and two other individuals attempted to smuggle a large amount of marijuana on board a plane in several suitcases. Guillen-Alvarez was convicted of drug possession. Drug possession is an extraditable offense under Article 2, Appendix Item 14, of the Extradition Treaty between the United States and Mexico.
Guillen-Alvarez was ordered extradited to Mexico by a U.S. Magistrate Judge, and Martinez- Valencia voluntarily agreed to return to Mexico to face his homicide charge. The U.S. Marshals Service returned both men to Mexican authorities earlier this month. The successful return of both fugitives to Mexico were the result of a coordinated effort between the U.S. Marshals Service, the Mexican government, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona, Interpol Mexico City, the Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs, and the U.S. Department of State. The extraditions were handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Christina M. Cabanillas, on behalf of the Mexican government, with the assistance of the U.S. Marshals Service.
MAG NUMBERS: 08-06077M-TUC & 08-00122M-TUC
RELEASE NUMBER: 2008-283(Extraditions)
