Man Sentenced to Life in Prison for First Degree Murder
Mexican Government Extradites Defendant Found Guilty of 2003 Murder on Tohono O’Odham Nation

TUCSON, AZ—Victor Manuel Reza-Ramos, 50, a Mexican citizen, was sentenced to life in prison last week by U.S. District Court Judge Frank Zapata. Reza-Ramos, who had been extradited from Mexico to stand trial, was convicted of first degree murder by a federal jury on June 14, 2010. Once Reza-Ramos was identified as a suspect in the crime, the Mexican government cooperated with U.S. law enforcement in bringing him to justice.

Reza-Ramos was convicted of the beating death of Jose L. Flores on or about March 25, 2003, near Fresnal Canyon on the Tohono O’odham reservation. Flores, a member of the Tohono O’odham Nation, was the caretaker and ranch hand for the Kisto Ranch located 18 miles north of the U.S.-Mexico border.

“This was a brutal murder. I am gratified that we brought this case to a close for the victim’s family and the community,” said U.S. Attorney Dennis K. Burke. “I thank the FBI and the Tohono O’odham Police Department for their commitment to this case over the years. Once Reza-Ramos was identified as a suspect in the crime, the Mexican government cooperated with U.S. law enforcement in bringing him to justice. This murderer had no safe haven south of the border and we are working tirelessly towards that goal in other cases.”

Evidence presented at trial showed Reza-Ramos used a metal fireplace shovel and a six-pound rock to beat the victim to death. The defendant inflicted 60 separate injuries on the victim, mostly to the head and neck. Reza-Ramos then dragged Flores to a small embankment and dumped him over the side. In an effort to hide the body, Reza-Ramos threw large rocks on top of his victim.

The jury found that the defendant had committed the murder as part of his effort to steal a 1999 Chevrolet pick-up truck at the ranch. There were no eyewitnesses to the crime; however the defendant left his palm print in the victim’s blood on the outside of the truck. DNA evidence tied Reza-Ramos to the inside of the truck and the inside of the ranch house. Discarded clothes were found at the scene soaked in the victim’s blood

The investigation leading to the guilty verdict was conducted by the FBI and the Tohono O'odham Police Department. The prosecution was handled by Wallace H. Kleindienst and Gordon E. Davenport III, Assistant U.S. Attorneys, District of Arizona, Tucson.

CASE NUMBER: CR-06-1142

RELEASE NUMBER: 2011-006(Reza-Ramos)