Fugitive Wanted for Riverside Homicide Returned to U.S. Today After Capture in Mexico

A fugitive wanted for a 2009 homicide in Riverside, California, was returned to the U.S. today following his capture in August 2011 near Mexicali, Mexico, announced Steven Martinez, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office.

Riverside Police detectives conducting the investigation into the murder that occurred on July 11, 2009 in the city of Riverside, obtained an arrest warrant for Hector Alejandro Rodriguez, 32. Once detectives had established that Rodriguez had fled the state’s jurisdiction, they requested the assistance of the FBI’s Inland Regional Apprehension Team (IRAT) in locating and apprehending Rodriguez.

On September 2, 2009, the FBI obtained a federal arrest warrant based on a criminal complaint filed in U.S. District Court in Riverside, charging Rodriguez with unlawful flight to avoid prosecution. IRAT worked closely with the FBI’s Legal Attaché in Mexico City, as well as the FBI’s Border Liaison Officers in San Diego, to locate Rodriguez.

The Riverside District Attorney’s Office formally requested the extradition of Rodriguez, a Mexican citizen, and a provisional arrest warrant was issued by the Mexican government. On August 10, 2011, Rodriguez was arrested in Ejido Durango, just south of Mexicali, by the Policía Federal Ministerial (PFM), and transported to Mexico City pending extradition to the United States. On February 9, 2012, Rodriguez was transported by FBI Agents from Mexico City to Los Angeles. IRAT members took custody of Rodriguez at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and transported him to the Riverside Police Department pursuant to his arrest warrant for murder.

It is anticipated that the United States government will dismiss the federal warrant charging Rodriguez with unlawful flight to avoid prosecution and Rodriguez will remain in custody in Riverside County while he awaits prosecution for the state murder charge by the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office.

The successful arrest and return of Rodriquez was the result of cooperative efforts by the Riverside Police Department; IRAT members; the FBI’s Legal Attaché assigned to the United States Embassy in Mexico City; San Diego FBI Border Liaison officers; and the Mexican federal police, Policia Federal Ministerial (PFM), formerly known as Agencia Federal de Investigaciones (AFI).

The FBI’s Inland Regional Apprehension Team includes members from the FBI, the Riverside Police Department, the San Bernardino Police Department and the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department.

The return of Rodriguez was sponsored by the United States government’s “Project Welcome Home,” which provides funding for the transportation of FBI fugitives to the United States, where the repatriation by the host country occurs through deportation or extradition.

The FBI continues to work with local law enforcement to apprehend violent criminals charged with state crimes who then flee the jurisdiction interstate or internationally. Photos and descriptions of many fugitives wanted by the FBI can be found at www.fbi.gov.

Media Contact:
FBI Media Relations: 310 996-3343
OR Supervisory Senior Resident Agent Donald Roberts: 951 248-6590
Riverside Police Department: Sgt. Dave Amador: 951-353-7107