Investigations
Murder Suspect On The Run For 20 Years Arrested While Serving As Police Officer In Mexico
In a dramatic turn of events, a 72-year-old Ohio man who evaded capture for nearly two decades after being charged with a 2004 murder has finally been arrested—while working as a police officer in Mexico. Antonio Riano, once a fixture on Ohio’s “Most Wanted” list, was apprehended on August 1, 2024, in his hometown of Zapotitlán Palmas, located in the State of Oaxaca, Mexico.
Riano had been on the run since the December 2004 shooting death of 25-year-old Benjamin Becarra outside the Roadhouse Bar in Hamilton, Ohio.
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Riano’s story reads like a plot straight out of a crime drama. After the fatal shooting, he allegedly fled the United States, successfully evading law enforcement even after his case was featured on the popular TV show America’s Most Wanted in 2005. Despite the nationwide exposure, Riano managed to stay under the radar, vanishing into the dense landscape of rural Mexico. Authorities pursued multiple leads over the years, but Riano remained elusive.
The arrest, which marks the end of a two-decade manhunt, was the result of a collaborative effort between U.S. Marshals, the Butler County Sheriff’s Office, the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs, and Mexican law enforcement. The U.S. Marshals Service announced that Riano was found living under an assumed identity and had been working as a police officer in Zapotitlán Palmas—a shocking twist in a case that had long gone cold.
“After years of fruitless searches, we didn’t see any trace of him until 2023,” said Newton, a spokesperson for the U.S. Marshals. “I think he thought he was home free.” But the long arm of the law finally caught up with Riano, who was extradited to the United States, where he is now being held without bond at Butler County Jail pending further court proceedings.
Riano is facing two counts of murder and felony assault for the December 19, 2004, killing of Becarra. The incident occurred after Riano allegedly tried to intervene in a dispute between Becarra and a bartender at the Roadhouse Bar. Becarra had been asked to leave the premises due to his involvement in a previous altercation. The argument between Riano and Becarra escalated, prompting the bartender to ask them to take their dispute outside. Moments later, gunshots rang out, and Becarra was found lying face down on the sidewalk.
In a chilling discovery, police later found the gun used in the shooting hidden in a compartment under the kitchen floor of Riano’s apartment in Hamilton, along with a stash of bullets. Surveillance footage from the night of the murder showed Riano leaving the scene, but authorities were unable to locate him until now.
Riano’s capture brings long-awaited justice for the family of Benjamin Becarra, closing a chapter on one of Ohio’s most notorious cold cases. As he awaits trial, Riano’s years on the run serve as a stark reminder that the past has a way of catching up with those who try to escape it.
In a series of coordinated enforcement actions across the country, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has arrested multiple noncitizens with serious criminal convictions, including violent and sexual offenses, drug trafficking, and crimes against children.
The agency says the individuals arrested had previously been convicted of crimes such as rape, manslaughter, sexual assault of minors, aggravated robbery, and weapons violations, and were residing in the U.S. without legal status.
“ICE remains committed to targeting and removing individuals who pose a threat to public safety,” an agency spokesperson said. “Our officers put themselves in harm’s way every day to protect American communities.”
Among those arrested:
Andrew Da Silva, 30, a citizen of Brazil, was taken into custody in Boston. He is a registered sex offender with convictions for second-degree child molestation and sexual assault in Providence, Rhode Island.
Gerber R. Rosil-Galdamez, 41, from Guatemala, was arrested in Buffalo. He has a rape conviction in Suffolk County, New York.
Aurelio Lopez-Vasquez, 44, a Mexican national, also arrested in Buffalo, has a conviction for sexual conduct against a child in Kings County, New York.
Jesus Flores, 49, of Mexico, was taken into custody in Buffalo. He has a manslaughter conviction from the Bronx.
Juan Humberto Perez, 56, of Mexico, was arrested in Chicago. He has been convicted of aggravated sexual battery and aggravated indecent liberties with a child in Kansas.
Glenda Iraheta, 29, from El Salvador, was arrested in Washington. She has a lengthy criminal record including 21 arrests and multiple convictions for theft, drug possession, and other offenses in Loudoun County, Virginia.
Sergio Soadri Morales, 36, a Mexican national, was arrested in Houston. He has a conviction for indecency with a child in Texas.
Jonathan Omar Calderon, 38, from Guatemala, was taken into custody in Los Angeles with a conviction for lewd acts with a child under 14.
Verner Arnoldo Perez-Ixcoy, 31, a Guatemalan citizen arrested in San Francisco, has ten criminal convictions including for sexual assault and assault with a deadly weapon.
Juan Manuel Parra-Reyes, 29, of Mexico, was arrested in Salt Lake City. He has a conviction for child sexual abuse.
Hai Tuan Pham, 51, from Vietnam, was arrested in Dallas. He has convictions for aggravated robbery and kidnapping with intent to commit sexual assault.
Demir Keco, 37, of Bosnia, was arrested in Boston. His record includes convictions for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and illegal firearm possession.
Selbourne Larkin, 40, a Jamaican citizen, was arrested in Atlanta. He has 12 convictions, including for vehicular homicide and firearm possession by a felon.
Ulises Mendoza-Hernandez, 26, from Mexico, was arrested in Houston and convicted of continuous family violence.
Francisco Noyola-Luna, 37, also from Mexico, was arrested in Denver. He was convicted of fentanyl possession with intent to distribute.
Efrain Rojo-Chavez, 38, a Mexican citizen, was arrested in Houston for assault of a family member.
Jose Torres-Ordonez, 41, of Mexico, was arrested in San Antonio. He has a conviction for assault causing bodily injury in Texas.
Alvaro Gonzalez-Morales, 48, of Mexico, was taken into custody in Philadelphia. He was convicted of resisting arrest in Tennessee.
Navor Juan Cayetano, 37, of Mexico, arrested in San Diego, has convictions for robbery and assault with a deadly weapon.
Alejandro Cruz-Velasquez, 30, from Cuba, was arrested in San Antonio with a conviction for aggravated sexual assault of a child.
ICE stated that all of the individuals arrested are subject to removal proceedings and will remain in custody pending further legal action.
….
Investigations
Elon Musk’s $1 Million Giveaway Under DOJ Investigation for Potential Legal Violations
Elon Musk’s recent $1 million giveaway has drawn attention from the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), which is reportedly scrutinizing the legality of the contest. This giveaway, widely promoted on social media, promised substantial cash prizes to select followers but has now raised concerns about compliance with federal sweepstakes laws. The DOJ’s focus is on whether the giveaway followed proper disclosures and legal requirements, including fair entry rules and transparency. This legal scrutiny adds a new layer of complexity to Musk’s ventures, as he continues to attract both media and regulatory attention with high-profile initiatives. The case underscores the importance of adhering to regulations, even in promotional activities led by influential public figures. The outcome could impact future online giveaways hosted by prominent personalities.
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