Suspects in 2 killings sent back to Mexico
By Louie Gilot / El Paso Times
Article Launched: 09/18/2007 12:00:00 AM MDT


Carlos Mendoza Garcia, 35, was escorted Monday to the summit of the Stanton Street bridge by U.S. federal agents to be handed over to Mexican law enforcement officials. (Rudy Gutierrez / El Paso Times)

A man accused of murder in Mexico was turned over to the Mexican government Monday at the Stanton Street bridge in El Paso, Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials said.

Carlos Mendoza Garcia, also known as Joel Portillo Roacho, 35, was the second murder suspect to be returned to Mexico at the bridge in three days, officials said. On Friday, officials removed Francisco Rodriguez Gallegos, 66.

Mendoza is wanted for a 2003 killing in Mocorito, in the Mexican state of Sinaloa. Mendoza, who had been removed from the United States in 2002, allegedly sneaked into the United States again illegally after the slaying. Mexican officials had reason to believe he fled to the United States and contacted ICE, whose agents found Mendoza in Chicago in January.

The other man, Rodriguez, was wanted in the Mexican state of Durango for allegedly shooting his cousin to death after a party in 2003, "Because he believed that his cousin sexually harassed his wife," said ICE spokeswoman Leticia Zamarripa. ICE found him in a Wichita, Kan., apartment with a counterfeit green card, Zamarripa said.

Louie Gilot may be reached at lgilot@elpasotimes.com; 546-6131.

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