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Fugitive wanted for 1999 murder in Mexico located in Indy

CHICAGO, Ill. (WISH) – A man wanted in Mexico on murder charges has been turned over to Mexican law enforcement authorities.

According to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) website, officers with ICE and Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) in Chicago, deported 34-year-old Agustin Espinoza-Betancourt for murder in 1999 in Morelos, Mexico.

The ERO Chicago was informed in May that Espinoza-Betancourt was wanted in Mexico on murder charges. He was arrested outside his place of work in Indianapolis. He was in ICE custody until his removal on Friday.

ICE states he got into an altercation with his neighbors, a mother and son, on Feb. 6, 1999. According to the Red Notice, he fatally shot the son four times. The mother tried to shield her son and was shot twice, but she survived.

If he is convicted of murder he faces up to 22 years in prison, according to ICE.

ICE records state Espinoza-Betancourt entered the United State illegally in April 1999.

In May 2003, ERO officers in Indianapolis placed him into removal proceedings. In July 2003, a federal immigration judge ordered him to be deported in absentia.

“The continued cooperation between the United States and the Mexican government results in such repatriations of foreign fugitives and improved public safety,” said Ricardo Wong, field office director for ERO Chicago. “International fugitives who think they can evade justice by fleeing to the United States should take notice – they will find no refuge here.”