Defendant Arrested in Mexico in Death of Federal Agent

U.S. Customs and Border Protection Border Patrol Agent Robert W. Rosas, Jr. Was Killed While on Routine Duty on the U.S. - Mexico Border in July 2009

SAN DIEGO, CA—Officials from the United States Department of Justice and Department of Homeland Security confirmed the arrest of Marcos Rodriguez-Perez, one of five individuals charged with being involved in the death of Customs and Border Protection Border Patrol Agent Robert W. Rosas, Jr.  Rodríguez-Perez was arrested by Mexican authorities on April 11, 2011, in Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico. The arrest of Rodríguez-Perez leaves only one suspect involved in the murder of Agent Rosas at large.

According to court documents, Agent Rosas was shot and killed on July 23, 2009, while he was on a routine patrol near Campo, California. José Juan Chacón-Morales, José Luis Ramirez-Dorantes, Marcos Rodríguez-Perez, Emilio Samyn Gonzales-Arenazas, and Christian Daniel Castro-Alvarez are accused in separate charging documents with traveling in Mexico to the United States-Mexico international border near Campo, California on July 23, 2009. The indictments charge that Rodríguez-Perez, Gonzales-Arenazas, and Castro-Alvarez illegally entered the United States with firearms for the purpose of robbing a Border Patrol agent of government property. Chacón-Morales and Ramirez-Dorantes remained in Mexico to act as armed lookouts. While Agent Rosas was engaged in the performance of his duties, Rodríguez-Perez, Gonzales-Arenazas, and Castro-Alvarez lured Agent Rosas out of his vehicle for the purpose of robbing him. It is alleged that during the course of the robbery, Agent Rosas was shot multiple times by Rodríguez-Perez, Gonzales-Arenazas, and Castro-Alvarez before they fled to Mexico with his gear bag, handcuffs, firearm, and night vision goggles.

On November 20, 2009, Castro-Alvarez waived indictment and entered a guilty plea, pursuant to a plea agreement, to murder of a federal officer committed in perpetration of a robbery, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 1111(a) and 1114, and Title 18, United States Code, Section 2. On April 29, 2010, Castro-Alvarez was sentenced to serve 480 months custody.

Subsequently, Chacón-Morales, Ramirez-Dorantes, Rodríguez-Perez, and Gonzales-Arenazas each were indicted for (1) conspiracy (robbery of personal property of U.S. and unlawful confinement of a federal officer), in violation of Title18, United States Code, Section 371; (2) robbery of personal property of the United States, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2112; (3) unlawful confinement of a federal officer resulting in death, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1201(a)(5); (4) murder of a federal officer committed in perpetration of a robbery and unlawful confinement, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1114; (5) use and carrying of a firearm during the commission of a crime of violence, in violation of Title18, United States Code, Section 924(c)(1)(A).

On June 11, 2010, Ramirez-Dorantes was arrested by Mexican authorities pursuant to a provisional arrest warrant submitted to Mexico by the United States. He was subsequently extradited to the United States on December 9, 2010. Additionally, Gonzales-Arenazas was arrested by Mexican authorities pursuant to a provisional arrest warrant on October 8, 2010. He was subsequently extradited to the United States on March 16, 2011. Both defendants have pending motion hearings before United States District Court Judge M. James Lorenz.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation ("FBI") and Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations ("ICE-HSI") are jointly investigating Agent Rosas' murder.

"The arrest of Rodríguez-Perez is a testament to the professionalism, hard work, and dedication of both FBI and ICE-HSI in bringing the perpetrators of Agent Rosas' murder to justice.

This investigation has been a prime example of the cooperation between Mexico and the United States in investigating and prosecuting cross-border crimes. Although the recent arrest by Mexican authorities was a tremendous step in seeking justice on behalf of Agent Rosas, our work on this case is far from complete," said United States Attorney for the Southern District of California Laura E. Duffy.

United States Attorney Duffy also noted that, "We appreciate that there is significant public interest regarding this important investigation, and we hope that each milestone brings some healing and comfort to Agent Rosas' family. However, we would ask everyone to respect the family's privacy as the investigation and related prosecutions continue."

FBI Special Agent in Charge Keith Slotter commented, "The murder of Agent Rosas was tragic. He gave his life defending this nation's borders. We are pleased that his alleged assailants will face the criminal justice system and applaud the efforts of our Mexican counterparts."

"ICE is proud to have brought the expertise of its Border Enforcement Security Task Force to bear on this investigation and, in partnership with the FBI and the government of Mexico, to have identified and tracked down the alleged perpetrators of this senseless act of border violence. Our hearts go out to the family of Border Patrol Agent Rosas and hope that these arrests will bring some measure of comfort to them," said Miguel Unzueta, Special Agent in Charge for ICE Homeland Security Investigations in San Diego.

José Juan Chacón-Morales remains at large, and FBI and ICE-HSI are requesting assistance from the public in finding his whereabouts. If you have any information concerning this person, please contact the FBI at 1 877 EZ 2 TELL or the nearest Embassy or Consulate.