ICE deports 2 fugitive foreign murder suspects recently captured in Arizona
Suspects include former Honduran police officer charged for homicide
PHOENIX – Two foreign national murder suspects recently captured in Arizona - one from Mexico and the other from Honduras - were handed over to authorities in their native countries Wednesday by deportation officers with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO).
One of the murder suspects, Francisco Inestroza-Martinez, 35, is a former Honduran police officer wanted in his native country on a homicide related charge. Inestroza was repatriated to Honduras on board a charter flight coordinated by ICE’s Air Operations (IAO). Upon his arrival in San Pedro Sula, ERO deportation officers turned the suspect over to awaiting Honduran Interpol agents.
Inestroza came into ICE custody July 13 following his arrest by U.S. Border Patrol agents near Lukeville, who processed him for expedited removal. Shortly after his transfer to ICE, the agency was alerted by the Honduran national police about the outstanding Honduran warrant charging Inestroza with homicide.
The second fugitive repatriated Wednesday, Jesus Balderama-Vega, 55, is the subject of a criminal warrant issued in 2006 by authorities in the Mexican state of Sinaloa charging him with the shooting death of a 55-year-old man that occurred the year before. Balderama came into ICE custody June 17 following his arrest by local authorities on multiple charges, including DUI. Shortly after he was detained by local authorities, the U.S. Marshals Service alerted ICE about the active homicide warrant for Balderama and ICE began coordinating with authorities in Mexico on the arrangements for his repatriation.
“Criminals who seek to escape responsibility for their actions by fleeing to the United States will find no sanctuary in our communities,” said Enrique Lucero, field office director for ERO in Arizona. “As these cases makes abundantly clear, ICE is working closely with its foreign counterparts to promote public safety and hold criminals accountable - no matter where they commit their crimes.”
Nationwide, ICE repatriated 351 individuals in fiscal year 2015 who were classified as high-profile removals – 274 were wanted for crimes committed overseas, often of a very serious or violent nature; 20 were classified as human rights violators; and 54 were considered national security threats.
In many instances, the successful outcome of these high-profile cases is the result of tips provided by private citizens. Members of the public who have information about foreign fugitives, human rights violators, or individuals who may pose a national security threat are urged to contact ICE by calling the toll-free ICE tip line at 1 (866) 347-2423 or internationally at 001-1802-872-6199. They can also file a tip online by completing ICE’s online tip form.
Additionally, ERO works closely with the ICE Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Office of International Operations, foreign consular offices in the United States, and Interpol to identify foreign fugitives who are believed to be illegally present in the United States. Once ICE obtains a final removal order, ERO coordinates with government authorities in the receiving countries to facilitate the actual repatriation of the fugitives, human rights violators, and other priority individuals.
ICE is focused on smart and effective immigration enforcement, prioritizing its resources to focus on those who pose the greatest threat to national security, border security and public safety, as detailed in this November 2014 directive by the Secretary of Homeland Security.
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