DHS, ICE, and interagency enforcement arrest and extradite Honduran criminal alien

WASHINGTON – A Honduran criminal alien, Eswin Mejia, 28, wanted in connection with a tragic 2016 motor vehicle homicide in Douglas County, Nebraska, was arrested and extradited to the United States, March 21 following an extensive U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement joint partner investigation.

In January 2016, prior to the conclusion of his immigration proceedings, Mejia crashed his car and killed a 21-year-old woman. Following the incident, it was determined that his blood alcohol content was three times over the legal limit.

Despite the severity of the charges, on Feb. 5, 2016, Mejia was granted bond and released back into the community. He later fled to Honduras to escape prosecution.

“The extradition and arrest of this criminal alien is the culmination of a nearly decade-long battle for justice for Sarah Root and her family. Thanks to the hard work of our Homeland Security Investigation and our interagency law enforcement partners, Eswin Mejia, who fled the U.S. to evade prosecution, will finally face justice for the killing of Sarah Root. Sarah should still be here today, and this illegal alien should have never been in our country in the first place,” said Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. “Senator Joni Ernst has been a champion for Sarah and her family, and her efforts and leadership were crucial in Mejia’s extradition. President Trump is putting the safety of Americans first — no longer will murderers and criminal illegal aliens be released into American communities."

“For over nine years, I have called for justice on behalf of Sarah Root, and today President Trump and his administration are delivering,” said Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa). “Sarah should still be alive today, and for too long Michelle, Scott, and the rest of her loved ones have been forced to live with the fact that her killer was running free. Finally, Edwin Mejia will face the long overdue consequences after breaking our laws and taking an innocent life. I am incredibly thankful for President Trump’s strong action, his hardworking administration, and steadfast partnership to right this wrong on behalf of Iowa families.”

“This arrest is a crucial step in our relentless pursuit of justice for the victim and her grieving family,” said ICE Homeland Security Investigations Kansas City Special Agent in Charge Mark Zito. “This case highlights the vital role ICE plays in relentlessly pursuing dangerous fugitives and criminal aliens. No matter how much time has passed or where they try to flee, ICE is working to bring them to justice.”

"I want to express my appreciation and gratitude to the men and women of the Marshals Service, as well as our partner agencies who worked tirelessly to bring Mr. Mejia back to the U.S. to face justice,” said Scott Kracl, U.S. Marshal for the District of Nebraska. “I hope this arrest and extradition brings some measure of comfort to the Root family and will serve as a reminder to all fugitives from justice that there is no place to hide.”

In February 2016, the Douglas County Nebraska County Court issued an arrest warrant for the fugitive on charges of motor vehicular homicide, after Mejia failed to appear at his court proceedings.

Mejia was first encountered by immigration officials in May 2013 after entering the United States at an unknown date, location and without inspection or parole. U.S. Border Patrol him a notice to appear, and he was released on his own recognizance, pending immigration proceedings.

Mejia failed to attend his immigration proceedings and in April 2016, an immigration judge with the Justice Department’s Executive Office for Immigration Review ordered his removal from the U.S. in absentia.

Mejia’s capture is the direct result of an ICE HSI-led joint investigation, with significant assistance from ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations, U.S. Marshals Service, FBI, Department of State, U.S. Embassy of Honduras, HSI Tegucigalpa Transnational Criminal Investigative Unit, Honduran National Police Directorate for Police Investigations, Honduran National Police Directorate for Police Intelligence, Honduran Special Forces, Omaha Police Department, Douglas County Attorney, and Omaha United States Attorney’s Office.

Mejia is currently in local custody at Douglas County Corrections, and ICE has lodged an immigration detainer with the jail.

Members of the public can report crimes or suspicious activity by dialing the ICE Tip Line at 866-DHS-2-ICE (866-347-2423) or completing the online tip form.