Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division
Headline: U.S. Marshals 15 Most Wanted Fugitive Edward Salas Extradited From Mexico
Washington U.S. Marshals Service 15 Most Wanted
fugitive and convicted child killer Edward Salas was extradited today from
Mexico. Salas was returned to Curry County, New Mexico to serve the
remainder of a previously-imposed prison sentence for murder.
Salas was arrested by Mexican authorities on Oct. 4, 2012
based upon a U.S. provisional arrest request, which sought his extradition
to New Mexico. The U.S. Marshals Service worked closely with the Department
of Justice Office of International Affairs and the Curry County (NM)
District Attorneys Office.
Salas crimes were horrendous and his potential for
continued violence made his arrest a priority for the U.S. Marshals Service
said U.S. Marshals Service Director Stacia A. Hylton. His capture is both
significant and rewarding, and we thank our state and local partners and
Mexican officials for their tireless persistence in bringing this fugitive
to justice.
Salas was added to the Marshals 15 Most Wanted fugitive
list in December 2011. He escaped from the Curry County Detention Center in
Clovis, New Mexico, in August 2008, and had been on the lam ever since. At
the time of his escape, he was serving a life sentence plus 56 years for his
role in the murder of 10-year-old Carlos Perez.
When a child suffers at the hands of a killer, the pain
is endured by the family, community and our entire society and when this
tragedy strikes, the law enforcement communities come together as an
unyielding force until those responsible face justice for the horrific
crimes committed, said Conrad E. Candelaria, U.S. Marshal for the District
of New Mexico. Due to the tireless efforts of many law enforcement
professionals, spanning many years and hundreds of hours of investigation
from agencies throughout the State of New Mexico, the United States Marshals
Service for the District of New Mexico, and the Marshals Service
International Investigative Branch, partnering with Mexican authorities,
fugitive Salas will face justice long awaited.
In the early morning hours of Sept. 15, 2005, Salas, along
with his brothers Orlando Salas and Demetrio Salas and two other
individuals, planned to murder Ruben Perez, reportedly in retaliation for an
argument that occurred the previous day at the Clovis High School. Instead
they killed his brother, Carlos, who was sleeping in the same bedroom. The
child died just one day before his 11th birthday.
Additional
information about the U.S. Marshals Service can be found at
http://www.usmarshals.gov.
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