U.S. Department of Justice

Federal Bureau of Investigation

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact
Deborah McCarley 602-650-3201

June 7, 2006

FUGITIVE CAUGHT IN MEXICO

Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Phoenix Division, John E. Lewis, announced today, June 7, 2006, that fugitive Joseph Javier Villezcas, age 33, wanted out of Las Vegas, Nevada, was located and arrested in Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico. Villezcas was handed over to FBI agents last night at approximately 11:00 p.m. at the Nogales Port of Entry.

Villezcas was wanted for the 1994 murder of a female motorist in North Las Vegas. Villezcas fled to Mexico where he assumed the identity of a Mexican National and resided for the past twelve years. Investigation conducted by the FBI in Phoenix and Las Vegas, with assistance of FBI Legal Attache Offices in Mexico City and Guadalajara, were instrumental in identifying and locating Villezcas. Mexico Intelligence worked with the FBI in locating Villezcas in Hermosillo, Sonora. Mexico Intelligence took Villezcas into custody and delivered him to FBI agents in Arizona. Customs and Border Patrol assisted the FBI in receiving fugitive Villezcas.

Villezcas has been released to the custody of state officials in North Las Vegas, Nevada. John E. Lewis, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI, Phoenix Division, stated, “We are fortunate to have FBI personnel in other countries to assist local law enforcement agencies in the capture of dangerous fugitives. We are also fortunate to have strong relationships with the authorities of other countries who will make the arrests and allow us to bring these fugitives to justice.”