Prosecutors seek extradition from Mexico of child sexual assault suspect
By Steven Kreytak | Wednesday, February 11, 2009, 06:50 PM

Travis County prosecutors are seeking the extradition from Mexico of an Austin woman who with her boyfriend is accused of videotaping and photographing herself sexually assaulting two children, according to the U.S. marshals service.

Mariana Garcia, 23, was arrested by Mexican authorities on a provisional arrest warrant in Tejupilco, Mexico, where her family members live, said Hector Gomez, supervisory deputy U.S. marshal in Austin.

Because Garcia is a Mexican citizen, prosecutors must prepare a formal request for her extradition under a treaty between the countries, a lengthy and cumbersome process that sometimes takes years.

Garcia’s boyfriend, Adrian Navarro, 29, was arrested by Mexican authorities in Tejupilco on Jan. 30, Gomez said. Because he is a U.S. citizen, Mexican authorities deported Navarro to the United States on an immigration violation, Gomez said. When Navarro arrived in San Antonio on Jan. 31, he was arrested by U.S. marshals who were also aboard his flight, Gomez said. Police had previously stated that Navarro had surrendered to authorities in San Antonio.

He is now in the Travis County jail on $250,000 bond. Both Navarro and Garcia face charges of aggravated sexual assault and possession and promotion of child pornography.

The pair were tracked to Mexico by the Lone Star Fugitive Task, which is comprised of Austin police, U.S. marshals and other law enforcement.

According to police affidavits, police found evidence against the couple during an investigation into a burglary case. The affidavits said officers received written permission to search the couple’s South Austin apartment and found more than 500 pictures and 15 videos of child pornography. In one video, Garcia was seen holding a girl “that appears under the age of 2â€