FUGITIVE EXTRADITED FROM MEXICO FOR MURDER OF WIFE, A TECATE BORDER CROSSING OFFICER

July 28, 2011 (Tecate)—Yesterday, Jesus Arteaga Garcia was extradited to San Diego from Mexico to face murder charges stemming from the fatal stabbing of his estranged wife, Maribel Arteaga, who was two months pregnant.She was stabbed to death in front of her children on December 9, 2009, at her apartment in Chula Vista. She was a Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer who served at the Tecate Port of Entry.

The Chula Vista Police Department (CVPD) investigated the incident and obtained an arrest warrant for Jesus Arteaga Garcia. He Garcia was believed to have fled to Mexico to avoid prosecution.

According to Deputy U.S. Marshal Steve Jurman, Garcia, 30, was sheltered by his sister and parents in Northern Baja,California. On January 28, Mexican federal authorities, working with deputies from the U.S. Marshals Service, arrested Garcia in Tijuana and held him in custody in Mexico City to await extradition proceedings.

The San Diego District Attorney's Office filed a request for extradition from Mexico via the U.S. Department of Justice and the U.S. State Department. On March 31, 2011, Garcia consented to extradition to the United States to face murder charges for the murder of his wife and her unborn child.

Chula Vista Police Department Chief David Bejarano said, "Today is another important step in bringing justice to Maribel's family. This is another fine example of law enforcement agencies working cooperatively to ensure criminals are held accountable."

"The District Attorney's Extradition Unit is building key relationships with our international law enforcement counterparts, resulting in more extradition successes like this most recent case," said San Diego District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis. "Our office is dedicated to tracking down fugitives who have committed violent crimes and bringing them back to San Diego County to answer for the charges against them."

Yesterday, U.S. Marshals Service deputies transported Garcia to San Diego and released him to the custody of Chula Vista Police Department investigators.

Garcia will face two counts of murder, two counts of child abuse, and a special circumstances allegation for committing more than one murder. He will be housed at the San Diego County Jail on a no-bail warrant.