Mexico extradites suspect linked to 2008 murder of Los Angeles County sheriff's deputy
In a significant development, Roberto Salazar, a high-ranking member of various drug trafficking organisations, has been returned to the United States from Mexico to face charges for the 2008 killing of a Los Angeles County sheriff's deputy, Juan Abel Escalante.
The extradition of Salazar was part of a coordinated effort by the U.S. and Mexican governments under the Trump administration, aiming to dismantle dangerous drug cartels impacting American security and drug flow. Salazar was handed over along with 25 other prisoners, including Abigael González Valencia, leader of Los Cuinis allied with CJNG, and Servando Gómez Martínez ("La Tuta"), former head of the Knights Templar cartel.
Sheriff Robert Luna, speaking at a press conference at the Hall of Justice, stated, "Justice has been a long time coming, but today we are one step closer." Dist. Atty. Nathan Hochman added, "My words go out to the Escalante family. That relentless pursuit of justice is not over, but we are almost there."
On August 2, 2008, Escalante, who had served in the Army Reserve and had been working for the sheriff's department for 2½ years, was shot in the back of the head outside his parents' house in Cypress Park. He was adjusting a child's seat in his car when he was attacked.
Carlos Velasquez, one of the arrested members, pleaded guilty to murder and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Velasquez, it was revealed, had mistaken Escalante for a rival gang member.
Four of the six alleged members of the Avenues gang involved in the killing of Escalante had been arrested and charged by December 2012. Salazar is scheduled to be arraigned in a downtown L.A. courthouse on Thursday morning. The L.A. County district attorney's office will charge Salazar with first-degree murder with special circumstances and conspiracy to commit murder.
U.S. Atty. Gen. Pamela Bondi stated that the return of the 26 men was "the latest example of the Trump administration's historic efforts to dismantle cartels and foreign terrorist organisations". Mexico, which long ago abolished capital punishment, reportedly agreed to the mass prisoner transfer on the condition that none of the individuals would face the death penalty.
The charges against Salazar carry a life sentence without the possibility of parole. The pursuit of justice for Escalante's family and the dismantling of dangerous cartels continues to be a priority for law enforcement agencies in both the U.S. and Mexico.
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