The man authorities believe stabbed a U.S. Customs and Border Protection Officer is behind bars after a yearlong search.
U.S. Marshals announced the capture of 30-year-old Jesus Arteaga-Garcia Friday. He was wanted for the murder of his estranged wife, U.S. Customs and Border Protection Officer Maribel Arteaga.
"The authority to arrest Arteaga has been in place for quite some time and it's just been a matter of trying to locate him," said Deputy U.S. Marshal Steve Jurman. Mexico's Federal Investigative Agency arrested Arteaga-Garcia in Tijuana, Mexico without incident on Friday. The U.S. Marshals' Fugitive Task Force gave information to Mexican authorities that the suspect was staying near his family in Mexico.
Authorities believe the suspect stabbed Maribel Arteaga,while she was two months pregnant. Officials said the suspect went to the Arteaga's home on December 10, 2009 and argued with her over their children's visitation time.
They said as she turned to put the kids in the apartment, the suspect stabbed her. Arteaga was able to give a dying declaration to police officers, naming her estranged husband as her attacker.
U.S. Marshals searched for the suspect in Tijuana where members of his family live.
"Through recent interviews, we received info that the family made a statement to the effect of 'Maribel got what she deserved'," said Jurman.
He said these types of statements led U.S. Marshals to believe that Arteaga-Garcia's family was not cooperating. Jurman believes certain family members were helping him avoid justice.
Arteaga-Garcia is scheduled to be transferred to Mexico City to await deportation and stand trial in the United States.
