Suspect Strongly Believed to Be FBI Ten Most Wanted Fugitive Arrested

Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Salt Lake City Field Office, Timothy J. Fuhrman announces that the FBI is working closely with authorities in Mexico to officially confirm the identity of a suspect strongly believed to be FBI Ten Most Wanted Fugitive Jorge Alberto Lopez-Orozco. Lopez-Orozco has been charged in Idaho for the 2002 murders of his girlfriend, Rebecca Ramirez, and her two young children, ages 2 and 4.

This week, acting on leads, the U.S. Marshals Service and the FBI Legal Attaché, both in Mexico City, in cooperation with the Mexican Federal Ministerial Police, arrested a man who they strongly believe to be Jorge Alberto Lopez-Orozco. He was hauling a load of metal into a scrap yard located in Zihuatanejo, Mexico. The arrest happened without incident on October 7, 2009. “Since the day the murder charges were filed the apprehension of Lopez-Orozco has remained a priority. The FBI Salt Lake City Field Office worked closely for a long period of time with law enforcement authorities in Idaho and Mexico to arrest this dangerous and violent fugitive,” said Fuhrman. “We deeply appreciate our law enforcement partners, particularly those in Mexico, for the assistance they have provided in this matter.” Fuhrman also thanked the Elmore County Sheriff’s Office in Idaho for its investigation of the crime. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Idaho, the Idaho State Police and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement also assisted in the case. U.S. Marshal for the District of Idaho, Patrick E. McDonald, stated Mexican law enforcement officials, the FBI, the U.S. Marshals Service and the Elmore County Sheriff’s Office have done an outstanding job in the relentless pursuit of those associated with the criminal activity in Idaho. “Those who have steadfastly worked on both sides of the border should be commended for their dedication,” said McDonald.

More about the murders

All three victims were shot. On August 11, 2002 their bodies were discovered in a burned out vehicle near the Snake River in Idaho. They had been missing for several days. Later that month, Idaho authorities charged Lopez-Orozco with three counts of first degree murder. Also in August 2002, a federal criminal complaint was filed in United States District Court charging a violation of Title 18, U.S. Code 1073, Unlawful Flight to Avoid Prosecution. According to the complaint, Jorge Lopez-Orozco fled Idaho for California where he confessed his criminal activity to family members. From there, it is believed Jorge Lopez-Orozco fled to Mexico.

Lopez-Orozco’s brother, Simon, is also wanted by the FBI for allegedly driving the murder suspect to California. In 2003, a federal arrest warrant was issued for Simon Lopez-Orozco. He has not been apprehended. Elmore County Sheriff Rick Layher reflected on how tough this has been for family members of the three victims. “It’s been a long ordeal for the family as they have waited years for Lopez-Orozco to be brought to justice. I spoke to the family and they were relieved to hear the news of an arrest.  Like all of us, they are hopeful this is the right person,” said Layher.

FBI Top Ten Fugitives Program

As of October 7, 2009, 491 fugitives have been on the "Ten Most Wanted Fugitives" list. If his identity is confirmed, Jorge Alberto Lopez-Orozco will become the 463rd person on the list to be located, 152 of them were found as a direct result of citizen cooperation. Orozco-Lopez was placed on the “Ten Most Wanted Fugitives” list on March 17, 2005. The list is designed to publicize particularly dangerous fugitives who might not otherwise merit nationwide attention. The FBI values and recognizes the need for public assistance in tracking fugitives.

Until the identity of the individual in custody is officially confirmed the FBI will have no further comment regarding specific information about this case.