Lake Elsinore Man Wanted for Riverside Homicide Deported to U.S. Last Night After Capture in Mexico

A fugitive wanted for murder by authorities in Riverside, California, and by the FBI for unlawful flight to avoid prosecution was deported to the United States last night following his capture in Playas de Rosarito, Mexico, announced Timothy Delaney, Acting Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office.

Joseph Dorsey, 28, whose last known address in the United States was Lake Elsinore, was charged with the alleged murder of Christine Stewart, 47, whose remains were found in a hotel room in Poway, California, on August 8, 2012 after an investigation by detectives with the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department.

At that time, detectives conducting the homicide investigation determined that Dorsey had fled the state’s jurisdiction to Mexico and requested the assistance of the FBI’s Inland Regional Apprehension Team (IRAT) in order to locate and apprehend Dorsey.

On September 5, 2012, the FBI obtained a federal arrest warrant based on a criminal complaint filed in U.S. District Court in Riverside charging Dorsey with unlawful flight to avoid prosecution (UFAP). IRAT members 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 Dorsey.

Late Tuesday evening, Dorsey was transported by Mexican officials from Playas de Rosarito, Mexico, to the San Ysidro Port of Entry in San Diego, California, and turned over to an FBI agent and Riverside Sheriff’s Department Task Force Officer with IRAT. Dorsey is an American citizen.

It is anticipated that the United States government will dismiss the federal warrant charging Dorsey with unlawful flight to avoid prosecution and that Dorsey will remain in custody in Riverside County while he awaits prosecution by the district attorney on the state murder charge.

The successful arrest and return of Dorsey was the result of cooperative efforts by the Riverside County Sheriff’s 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 Baja State Preventive Police (Policia Estatal Preventiva).

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 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.