ICE removes Mexican national wanted for triple murder and kidnapping
NOGALES, Ariz. — A Mexican national, wanted in his native county for his role in the drug-related kidnapping and murder of three brothers, was turned over Wednesday to Mexican law enforcement officials at the Grand Avenue Port of Entry by officers from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO).
Roberto Garcia-Castillon, aka “El Robi,” 47, was repatriated under tight security, escorted by members of ERO’s tactical team and U.S. Border Patrol agents. After arriving at the Nogales border crossing, he was transferred to the custody of representatives from the Mexican Procuradaria General de la Republica (PGR). Garcia is charged with a kidnapping and triple homicide that occurred in the Mexican state of Sonora in September 2011.
A warrant issued by Mexican authorities in January of this year alleges Garcia is one of six suspects who kidnapped and then murdered three brothers – Javier Mendoza-Lopez, Jesus Mendoza-Lopez and Armando Mendoza-Lopez – in a drug-related ambush. Garcia fled following the killings.
“For the victim’s families and loved ones, justice may have been delayed, but they can take consolation knowing this alleged assailant is now being held accountable for his crimes,” said Albert E. Carter, acting field office director for ERO Phoenix. “This arrest and repatriation are the direct result of the ongoing cooperation between U.S. law enforcement and our Mexican counterparts. Violent criminals who commit reprehensible crimes and believe they can evade justice by fleeing to the U.S. should be on notice – they will find no refuge here.”
Garcia came to ICE’s attention most recently following his arrest in December 2014 by the Tucson Police Department on local charges. While incarcerated in the Pima County Jail, Garcia was encountered by ERO officers, who lodged a detainer seeking his transfer to ICE custody upon his release by local authorities. In May, Garcia was remanded to ICE custody and the agency repatriated him Wednesday after reinstating his prior removal order.
Since Oct. 1, 2009, ERO has removed more than 1,150 foreign fugitives from the United States who were sought in their native countries for serious crimes, including kidnapping, rape and murder. ERO works with the ICE Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Office of International Operations, foreign consular offices in the United States, and Interpol to identify foreign fugitives illegally present in the United States. Members of the public who have information about foreign fugitives are urged to contact ICE by calling the toll-free ICE tip line at 1-866-347-2423 or internationally at 001-1802-872-6199. The public may also file a tip online by completing ICE’s online tip form.
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