Thread: Suspect in immigration agent killing held in US

Suspect in immigration agent killing held in US

By NEDRA PICKLER
The Associated Press

WASHINGTON — An alleged Mexican drug cartel member was arraigned in U.S. federal court Wednesday on murder charges from the roadside ambush of two U.S. immigration agents working south of the border.

A spokesman for the U.S. District Court in Washington says Julian Zapata Espinoza entered a not guilty plea and is being held in jail.

The charges included murder and attempted murder for the Feb. 15 mid-day attack along a four-lane highway that killed U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent Jaime Zapata and wounded colleague Victor Avila as they were driving to Mexico City after a meeting with other U.S. personnel. The shooting in the northern state of San Luis Potosi was a rare attack on American officials in the country fighting violent drug cartels.

Zapata Espinoza is known by the nickname "El Piolin," or Tweety Bird, apparently because of his short stature. He was captured along with five other suspected members of the Zeta cartel during an army raid a week after the shooting and recently was extradited to the United States.

The Mexican army said Zapata Espinoza admitted killing Zapata in what he claimed was a case of mistaken identity, with the Zetas mistaking the ICE agents' Chevrolet Suburban for one used by a rival gang.
Zapata, a 32-year-old native of the Texas border town of Brownsville, was on assignment from the ICE office in Laredo, Texas, where he served on the Human Smuggling and Trafficking Unit as well as the Border Enforcement Security Task Force.

Avila, who served on a unit to deter human trafficking and was based in El Paso, was shot in the leg and recovered.

ICE, the investigative arm of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the second largest investigative agency in the federal government, enforces immigration laws and is primarily responsible for arresting, detaining and deporting people who are in the U.S. illegally. It also investigates drug cases in the U.S. and Mexico and other types of trafficking.

Mexico is fighting heavily armed and powerful drug cartels that supply the U.S. market. Since President Felipe Calderon launched a military crackdown against drug trafficking shortly after taking office in December 2006, almost 35,000 people have been killed in drug-related violence.

http://www.ajc.com/news/nation-world...t-1266883.html

CORRECTED: Defendant charged with alleged participation in the murder and attempted murder of 2 ICE special agents is extradited from Mexico to the United States

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) sent this bulletin at 12/21/2011 01:13 PM EST

Defendant charged with alleged participation in the murder and attempted murder of 2 ICE special agents is extradited from Mexico to the United States
Allegedly participated in the murder of ICE Special Agent Jaime Zapata and the attempted murder of ICE Special Agent Victor Avila

WASHINGTON — Julian Zapata Espinoza, also known as "Piolin," has been extradited from Mexico to the United States to face charges for his alleged participation in the murder of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Special Agent Jaime Zapata and the attempted murder of ICE Special Agent Victor Avila on Feb. 15, 2011, in Mexico.


The charges and extradition were announced today by ICE Director John Morton; Assistant Attorney General Lanny A. Breuer, Justice Department's Criminal Division; U.S. Attorney Ronald C. Machen Jr., District of Columbia; and FBI Assistant Director Kevin Perkins, Criminal Investigative Division.

"The extradition and charges filed against Zapata Espinoza is an important step in bringing Jaime and Victor's alleged shooters to justice," said ICE Director Morton. "All of us at ICE are encouraged by today's action and appreciate the unwavering work and support of all our law enforcement partners in this case. Our hearts and prayers continue to go out to Jaime's family and his close colleagues within the ICE community. ICE will continue to see that Jaime and Victor's work is done by continuing our efforts with all involved in working on this case."

On April 19, 2011, a federal grand jury in the District of Columbia returned a four-count indictment against Zapata Espinoza, charging him with one count of murder of an officer or employee of the United States, for the murder of ICE Special Agent Zapata; one count of attempted murder of an officer or employee of the United States and one count of attempted murder of an internationally protected person, both for the attempted murder of ICE Special Agent Avila; and one count of using, carrying, brandishing and discharging a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence causing death.

"Julian Zapata Espinoza ("Piolin") allegedly participated in the murder of ICE Special Agent Jaime Zapata and the attempted murder of ICE Special Agent Victor Avila," said Assistant Attorney General Breuer. "The indictment unsealed today, and the successful extradition of Piolin to the United States, reflect the Justice Department's vigorous and determined efforts to seek justice for Agents Zapata and Avila. We will continue to work closely with our law enforcement partners in Mexico to hold violent criminals accountable."

"This prosecution exemplifies our unwavering effort to prosecute those who committed this heinous offense against U.S. law enforcement agents," said U.S. Attorney Machen. "We will not rest until those responsible for the murder of Agent Zapata and the wounding of Agent Avila are brought to justice."

"The extradition of Julian Zapata Espinoza to face charges in the U.S. is a significant development in the ongoing investigation into the murder of Special Agent Jaime Zapata and attack on Special Agent Victor Avila," said FBI Assistant Director Perkins. "This extradition would not have been possible without the dedicated efforts of all involved in this case. The FBI, DHS and the Department of Justice will continue its pursuit of justice for the Zapata family."

The indictment was unsealed today, when Zapata Espinoza made his initial appearance before U.S. District Chief Judge Royce Lamberth of the District of Columbia. Zapata Espinoza was ordered detained without bail. His next appearance in court is scheduled for Jan. 25, 2012.

The case is being investigated by the FBI, with substantial assistance from ICE; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; the Drug Enforcement Administration; U.S. Customs and Border Protection; U.S Department of State, Bureau of Diplomatic Security; and the U.S. Marshals Service. The investigation was also coordinated with the assistance of the Government of Mexico.

The case is being prosecuted by the Organized Crime and Gang Section and the Narcotic and Dangerous Drugs Section of the Justice Department's Criminal Division and the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia. The Office of International Affairs of the Justice Department's Criminal Division provided substantial assistance.
An indictment is a formal charging document and defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is the largest investigative arm of the Department of Homeland Security.ICE is a 21st century law enforcement agency with broad responsibilities for a number of key homeland security priorities. For more information, visit www.ICE.gov. To report su****ious activity, call 1-866-347-2423 or complete our tip form.

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