Officers nab man accused of killing 3 teens

By Jonathon Shacat
Wick News Service
Published/Last Modified on Wednesday, May 6, 2009 4:33 PM MDT


BISBEE — Federal and local law enforcement officials recently captured a Mexican man suspected of killing a Douglas man and two Mexicans in Agua Prieta, Sonora, on April 10.


Jose Jesus Guerrero, 38, is accused of kidnapping and murdering Alejandro “Alex” Abril, 19, an American, as well as a 15-year-old girl and a 17-year-old boy, both from Mexico.

Guerrero was taken into custody by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents without incident at a local gas station Wednesday morning, according to a press release. He was turned over to Mexican authorities.

The arrest came after a U.S. Customs and Border Protection Border Patrol agent assigned to the Cochise County Border Violence Group received information about the suspect’s possible whereabouts.

Based upon that lead, ICE agents worked with the Douglas Police Department to set up surveillance at the Express Stop gas station on 10th Street, where Guerrero was captured a short time later.

Abril’s body was found in an unspecified area of Agua Prieta. He had been strangled and left in a vehicle along with the other victims, according to police. His family has informed Douglas police that he may have had some ties to information sharing of a drug- and human-smuggling organization.

Following the killings, the Mexican government notified the U.S. Marshal’s Service that Guerrero was a suspect.The U.S. Marshal’s Service then alerted border law enforcement agencies to be on the lookout for him.

Guerrero is a previously deported aggravated felon with a long history of criminal violations tied to drug and human smuggling in the U.S., according to the press release.

ICE agents reinstated Guerrero’s previous deportation order and notified the U.S. Marshal’s Service’s Mexican investigative liaison of his impending return to Mexico.

When ICE agents returned Guerrero to Mexico at the Douglas Port of Entry, agents from Mexico’s Federal Agency of Investigations immediately took him into custody on the outstanding murder warrant.

In the release, Matt Allen, special agent in charge for the ICE Office of Investigations in Arizona, said the return of Guerrero to face justice shows how law enforcement agencies in the United States are working with Mexico to combat the drug-related violence and crime in that nation.

“As this administration has said, this is a homeland security issue in which we have a major stake. The Department of Homeland Security’s goal in this instance is not only to see justice served, but to protect law-abiding citizens on both sides of the border,” he stated.

 

Copyright © 2012 Douglas Dispatch

Comments

    Furios Family Member wrote on May 27, 2009 10:00 AM:

    " Its funny how those of you that didn't even know any of the Innocent Victims somehow, someway find something Negative to say in regards to my Brother Alex, If you didn't know this Kid, I suggest to keep your mouth shut, The reason why I and most of the Family left this Place was to Improve ourselves, and the increase the success of my Family, which some of you need to do, it seems that you don't have anything Important to do other than criticize someone that is unable to defend themself, right!!!! once the Comment is posted you feel good about yourself and want to stir the Pot, yet doing it Blindfolded, Please have respect for the 3 Victims of this Terrible Crime, and Take care of Yourself and your fellow Love ones.....For those of you that didn't know him, Yesterday May 26th, 2009 was Alex's Birthday, and we would of Been 20 Years old.......
    Furious Family Member "

    A wrote on May 20, 2009 11:35 AM:

    " This comment references the use of the adjective "American" to describe the victim. The correct term would "United States Citizen" or "United States National," etc. Referring to someone as an American would encompass both North and South America. It is stylistically incorrect, especially for a newspaper. "

    kassandra bernal wrote on May 16, 2009 7:25 PM:

    " well let me tell you something tomas rodriguez they were all innocent. until you know the true story you should talk otherwise keep it shut!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! "

    Juan Lara wrote on May 11, 2009 4:12 PM:

    " The only way we are going to clean up Douglas is if the all the people stop tolerating the drug smugglers and bandish everybody who particdipates in such activites even our own family members. "

    florence wrote on May 11, 2009 11:36 AM:

    " wonderfu to hear stories that prove drugs will get you nothing but a lot of grief especially to the family. we never hear what it does emotiomally to the family it self. lets try to keep drugs off the streets. More to power to the officers that are there taking a chance on there lives to protect ours.keep doing the best that you can . And be careful out there. "

    Tomas Rodriguez wrote on May 10, 2009 5:02 PM:

    " The word on the street is that the people killed were not innocent. This is what you get when you play with the big boys. When are people going to wake up and relize that drug and people smuggling is not a game. "

    Jay Dee wrote on May 8, 2009 12:02 AM:

    " The newest information is that he was released a day or so later, how come the newspaper only reports the old news and not the up to the minute news... Maybe they need better reports to follow up on stories..
    Mexico's way of taking care of drug or human smugglers. Get caught by the US and be released by the Mexican Authorities. "

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