Denver, Colorado - Officers with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) on Monday arrested in east Colorado a fugitive from Mexico who is wanted for a homicide in 2010.
Luis Alonso Soto-Carreon, 50, from Chihuahua, Mexico, was arrested in Cheyenne Wells, Colorado, by the ERO's Fugitive Operations Unit in Denver.
ERO Denver first learned of Soto-Carreon's possible whereabouts Nov. 20 from ERO San Diego through Mexico's Procuraduría General de la República (PGR).
On Nov. 21, 2014, ERO Denver received copies of two warrants of arrest for Soto dated Oct. 3, 2010. Witness statements obtained from the police affidavit alleged that on Sept. 25, 2010, Soto-Carreon argued with two men outside his business in La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexico. At least three witnesses reported that during the confrontation, Soto-Carreon drew a .22-caliber pistol from his waistband and fired three rounds into one of the men who died from his wounds.
"Our ICE officers help ensure that fugitives from foreign countries can't use the United States as a safe haven from their alleged crimes," said John P. Longshore, field office director of ERO Denver. "On a regular basis, we arrest these and other dangerous criminal aliens in our communities as part of our ongoing efforts to improve public safety."
ICE record checks revealed that Soto-Carreon last entered the United States from Mexico April 8, 2011 at El Paso, Texas, with a valid U.S. Border Crossing Card. However, border crossing cards only authorize users into the United States for up to 72 hours and within 25 miles of the border.
ICE processed Soto-Carreon to appear before a federal immigration judge who will rule on his immigration case. Soto-Carreon is currently held in ICE custody with no bond at the GEO Contract Detention Facility in Aurora, Colorado.
ICE notified Mexico's PGR of Soto-Carreon's arrest.
ICE's National Fugitive Operations Program (NFOP) identifies, locates and arrests fugitive aliens, aliens who have been previously removed from the United States, criminal aliens, and aliens who illegally enter the United States.
