FBI says fugitive arrested in Mexico was returned to LA

A fugitive wanted for his alleged involvement in a murder and attempted murder in 2009 was arrested and returned to Los Angeles this week, the FBI announced Friday.

In December 2009, Steven Aguilar-Medina allegedly shot two Los Angeles gang rivals, one of whom died, according to Don Alway, the assistant director in charge of the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office.

Aguilar-Media was identified as a suspect and was charged in state court with murder and attempted murder. A warrant was issued for his arrest on Jan. 8, 2010.

Detectives soon determined that Aguilar-Medina had fled California and a federal arrest warrant was issued in March 2010, after Aguilar-Medina was charged in Los Angeles federal court with unlawful flight to avoid prosecution, Alway said.

After developing new information, the FBI’s Los Angeles Fugitive Task Force worked with Mexican law enforcement officials and the FBI’s legal attache in Mexico City to locate the fugitive. Aguilar-Medina was taken into custody on Oct. 18 in the town of Progreso in the state of Merida, Mexico, the FBI said.

The government is expected to dismiss the federal warrant charging Aguilar-Medina with unlawful flight and he will remain in custody to await prosecution by the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office, officials said.

Aguilar-Medina’s girlfriend, Evelin Martinez, who allegedly drove him to the scene of the shootings, remains a fugitive, Alway said.

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