Suspect Charged in Killing of U.S. Border Patrol Agent Extradited from Mexico

United States Attorney Laura E. Duffy announced that Marcos Rodríguez-Perez, one of five individuals charged with being involved in the death of Customs and Border Protection Border Patrol Agent Robert W. Rosas, Jr., was arraigned today in federal court in San Diego. Rodríguez-Perez was arrested by Mexican authorities on April 11, 2011, in Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico and was extradited from Mexico on October 13, 2011, escorted by special agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations. The extradition 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. A trial date of December 6, 2011 is set for Ramirez-Dorantes.

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. On July 25, 2011, he pled guilty to the murder of Agent Rosas, and a sentencing hearing is scheduled for January 19, 2012 before United States District Court Judge M. James Lorenz.

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

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.

Case Number: 10cr3487L

DEFENDANT

Marcos Rodriguez-Perez
 Age: 22
 Status: In Custody

SUMMARY OF CHARGES

Conspiracy - Title18, United States Code, Section 371; Robbery of personal property of the United States - Title 18, United States Code, Section 2112; Unlawful confinement of a federal officer resulting in death -Title 18, United States Code, Section 1201(a)(5); Murder of a federal officer committed in perpetration of a robbery and unlawful confinement - Title 18, United States Code, Section 1114; Use and carrying of a firearm during the commission of a crime of violence - Title18, United States Code, Section 924(c)(1)(A); Murder of a Federal Officer Committed in Perpetration of a Robbery - Title 18, United States Code, Section 1111(a) and 1114; and Title 18, United States Code, Section 2, Aiding and Abetting, a felony.

INVESTIGATING AGENCIES

Federal Bureau of Investigation
Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations

An indictment itself is not evidence that the defendant committed the crimes charged. The defendant is presumed innocent until the government meets its burden in court of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.