1 of FBI's most wanted held in Mexico

2012-11-24 09:02

This image provided by the FBI shows an undated photo from a wanted poster for Joe Luis Saenz. (FBI, AP)

Los Angeles - One of the FBI's 10 Most Wanted Fugitives was arrested in Mexico and returned to Los Angeles to face charges of murder, kidnapping and rape, US officials said.

Reputed gang member Joe Luis Saenz was taken into custody on Thursday in Guadalajara following a joint operation with the Mexican government, said Bill Lewis, assistant director in charge of the FBI's Los Angeles office.

Mexican officials expect extradition proceedings to begin in the coming days. Saenz returned to Los Angeles on Friday evening.

Investigators said Saenz shot and killed two rival gang members in July 1998 in retaliation for an assault on one of his associates.

Saenz suspected Sigrieta Hernandez, his girlfriend and the mother of his daughter, was going to tell police about the slayings, investigators said.

He is accused of kidnapping, raping and killing her less than two weeks later.

Saenz also is believed to have killed Oscar Torres at his home in October 2008 because he failed to repay $600 000 in drug money after police seized the cash during a traffic stop.

Authorities said they have videotape from a surveillance camera at Torres's house that shows Saenz killing Torres and wounding another person.

Saenz, who is about 37, was believed to be hiding in Mexico, working as an enforcer and hitman for a Mexican drug cartel.

Saenz had been on the FBI's most wanted list since 2009, putting him among the ranks of Osama bin Laden and other notorious criminals.

There was a reward of up to $100 000 for information leading to his arrest.

- AP