The FBI always maintains a list of people that are wanted for either questioning or arrest. Now, they have caught someone they have been after a long time.
Keep reading to know more.
Fugitive Alejandro Rosales Castillo was on the FBI’s ‘Ten Most Wanted’ list. He had been on the list since 2017, when he fled the country. He was wanted for questioning in relation to a murder of his 23-year-old coworker, ‘Sandy’ Ly Le from Charlotte, North Carolina.
Director of the FBI, Kash Patel, revealed that Castillo had been arrested on Friday and local federal officers in North Carolina revealed that Ly Le’s alleged killer was detained in Pachuca, Hidalgo, Mexico.
The 27-year-old alleged murdered remains in custody where officials await his extradition back to North Carolina where the murder took place almost a decade ago.
While there was a FBI search and a $250,000 bounty for his arrest, he had been able to live a relatively ‘normal life.’
FBI Director Patel said on the occasion of his arrest, “Alejandro Castillo’s arrest is the fifth Ten Most Wanted Fugitive captured under this administration and this FBI since last year – more than the entire previous four years combined.”
He went on to add, “That’s no accident. When you have an administration who gives law enforcement the support to execute the mission, they get the job done like nobody else. This was outstanding work by our Charlotte team, FBI Legat Mexico, local and federal partners, and partners in Mexico – and we can now begin the process of delivering long-awaited justice for Sandy Ly Le’s family.”
Ly Le and Castillo were said to have briefly dated back when they worked together at a Charlotte restaurant. At the time, 17-year-old Castillo ended up owing his coworker some money. When they broke things off, he did not pay her back and instead began dating another colleague.
On the night Ly Le was murdered, on August 9, 2016, it is said that Castillo had texted her to arrange repayment. However, when they met up, investigators believe she was made to withdraw all her money from an ATM.
Having stolen $1,000 from his ex, it is believed that Castillo then allegedly drove her to a wooded area before he shot her in the head. Her body was later found dumped in a ravine.
FBI Charlotte Special Agent in Charge James C. Barnacle Jr., who oversaw the case said, “For more than nine years, he lived a normal life, likely believing he would never be captured, but our experienced investigators never gave up the hunt for justice.
He added, “Sadly, Sandy’s family began another new year without her, we hope knowing her accused killer is in custody will provide some level of solace now.”
North Carolina’s 10th district congressman Pat Harrigan also was jubilant about the arrest taking to X and posting, “Nearly nine years after a Charlotte murder, the man responsible is finally in custody. Grateful for the persistence of FBI Charlotte, CMPD, and our federal partners who never stopped working to bring justice home to North Carolina.”
We hope that justice is served to the bereaved families as they navigate all of these new udpates in the case.
