Mexican homicide suspect 'El Caco' turned over to Mexican authorities

NOGALES, Ariz. – A Mexican national wanted in his native country for allegedly murdering his girlfriend was turned over to Mexican law enforcement authorities Tuesday at the Dennis DeConcini Port of Entry by officers from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO).

Servando Calvillo-Armenta, 27, of Caborca, Mexico, also known as "El Caco," is charged in a criminal arrest warrant issued in July 2011 by Mexican prosecutors for the premeditated murder of Yara Guadalupe Santiago Buelna. Calvillo-Armenta is accused of stabbing Buelna, his girlfriend, to death.

"This individual attempted to elude justice in Mexico by seeking safe haven in the United States," said Katrina S. Kane, field office director of ERO Phoenix. "ICE prioritizes the arrest and removal of criminal aliens who pose a threat to our communities. We will continue to work closely with our law enforcement partners here and abroad to ensure these individuals are identified and brought to justice."

Calvillo-Armenta was arrested in Phoenix Dec. 6 and later convicted in Arizona Superior Court Jan. 17 on felony and misdemeanor charges, and sentenced to 30 days in the Maricopa County Jail. ICE placed a detainer on Calvillo-Armenta after his arrest and subsequently learned that he was wanted for homicide in Mexico. ERO officials took custody of Calvillo-Armenta when he was released from jail and transferred him to the Florence, Ariz., detention center, where he was held while his removal was coordinated with Mexican authorities.

Calvillo-Armenta was previously removed to Mexico by the U.S. Border Patrol in March 2002 and October 2007.

Since Oct. 1, 2009, ERO has removed about 335 foreign fugitives from the United States who were being sought in their native countries for serious crimes, including kidnapping, rape and murder. ERO works with ICE's Office of International Affairs, foreign consular offices in the United States, and Interpol to identify foreign fugitives illegally present in the country.