Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Crime News
Headline: Ten Most Wanted Fugitive Jesus Roberto Munguia Apprehended
Aaron C. Rouse, FBI Special Agent in Charge of the Las Vegas Field Office, announced today that Ten Most Wanted Fugitive Jesus Roberto Munguia, who was wanted for the July 2, 2008 violent murder of his wife and mother to his four children, Sherryl Sacueza, has been arrested. Through the steadfast cooperation with Mexican authorities, Munguia was taken into custody early this morning (Eastern Standard Time) and transported to Los Angeles based on an arrest warrant charging him with first-degree murder and kidnapping.
“We are so pleased with the capture of Munguia. He will now face justice for this terrible crime, and Sherryl Sacueza’s family can begin the path to closure,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Aaron C. Rouse. “We are grateful for the efforts of the government of Mexico and specifically the Mexican Navy (SEMAR) for their outstanding work in apprehending this dangerous violent fugitive. This action sends a clear message to fugitives like Munguia who think they can hide in another country: Working with our international partners, we will hunt you down, we will find you, and we will bring you to justice.”
Munguia was the 517th addition to the Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list. The announcement of Munguia’s addition to the list resulted in national and international publicity about the case, which generated information leading to his location and ultimately his capture.
Background of Munguia Investigation:
It is alleged that during the late hours of July 1, 2008, Munguia called Sacueza and lured her back to her home, where he was waiting. Upon her arrival, Munguia forced Sacueza into the garage, and they were heard arguing by their children. Sometime later, Munguia forced Sacueza into her vehicle and drove away from the residence to an unknown location. At approximately 12:08 p.m. on July 2, 2008, Sacueza’s body was discovered in the back seat of her vehicle, which was parked in the driveway of her residence. Her body was discovered by her sister with her hands bound and secured to the center seatbelt. Numerous ligatures were around her neck, including a piece of rope, a sweatshirt, and jumper cables. The jumper cables were wrapped around her neck and the headrest of the seat. There were numerous blunt force injuries to her face and head. Blood spatter was present inside the vehicle and indicated that the blunt force injuries had occurred while Sacueza was bound and tied to the backseat. Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD) Homicide responded and quickly identified Munguia as the prime suspect.
An arrest warrant was obtained charging Munguia with first-degree murder and kidnapping. An exhaustive effort to locate Munguia by LVMPD Homicide and the FBI’s Criminal Apprehension Team (CAT) was unsuccessful. On July 9, 2008, a federal arrest warrant was obtained by FBI Las Vegas for unlawful flight to avoid prosecution.
FBI Las Vegas has maintained contact with Sacueza’s four children—Jessica, Dysabel, Jesse Jr., and Daniel—and her mother, Noema Guevara. Guevara has tirelessly reminded investigators to keep her daughter’s memory alive. At the time of the murder, Munguia was a documented TEPA 13 gang member. He is a United States citizen with familial ties in California and Mexico.
The FBI’s Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list was established in March 1950. Since then, 484 have been apprehended or located. Munguia was the 517th person to be placed on the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list, and the sixth specifically sought by the FBI’s Las Vegas Field Office.