A Mexican cartel leader José Rodolfo Villareal-Hernandez, bearing the name “El Gato” who is wanted in the U.S. for his alleged role in orchestrating a 2013 murder in Southlake, Texas, has been arrested in Mexico, according to authorities. Villareal-Hernandez was detained in Mexico City.
Mexican authorities said that Villareal-Hernandez is requested by authorities of the United States of America for his probable responsibility in the crimes of interstate stalking and criminal association to commit homicide. (Photo: Texas Monthly)
‘El Gato’ Arrested in Mexico for Accused Role in 2013 Murder-For-Hire Scheme
Mexican authorities said that Villareal-Hernandez is requested by authorities of the United States of America for his probable responsibility in the crimes of interstate stalking and criminal association to commit homicide. Villareal-Hernandez was on the FBI’s Top 10 Most Wanted Fugitives list for charges that were filed against him in 2018 including “interstate stalking and conspiracy to commit murder-for-hire”.
Juan Jesus Guerrero Chapa was the target of the 2013 slaying that Villareal-Hernandez is alleged to have orchestrated targeted. The former was allegedly a lawyer for the notoriously violent Gulf Cartel drug trafficking organization and an informant for the U.S. government.
Mexican authorities said that Villareal-Hernandez is requested by authorities of the United States of America for his probable responsibility in the crimes of interstate stalking and criminal association to commit homicide. (Photo: Yahoo)
Wanted Mexican Cartel Leader ‘El Gato’ Arrested
It was speculated that Villareal-Hernandez held a personal grudge against Chapa. According to CBS Dallas-Fort Worth, Chapa was sitting alongside his wife in their Range Rover when he was shot at least five times, marking Southlake’s first murder in more than 10 years.
As former United States Attorney Paul Coggins expressed to CBS Dallas-Fort Worth, Villareal-Hernandez’s arrest sends a strong signal of cooperation between the U.S. and Mexico.
Coggins stated that this action tells Cartel members they are not just going to focus on the smaller target but also the bigger ones as well.
According to a published post by CBS News, three other men have been previously indicted on interstate stalking and conspiracy to commit murder for hire charges in Chapa’s killing.
Mexican authorities said that the United States has sixty days to begin the extradition process.
