FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 29, 2017
Contact: James Hallinan (505) 660-2216
AG Balderas is currently in Mexico meeting with Procurador General de la República Raúl Cervantes Andrade
Mexico City, Mexico – New Mexico Attorney General Hector Balderas announced that Juan David Villegas was successfully extradited this afternoon and is on U.S. soil in the custody of the U.S. Marshal Service. Attorney General Balderas used the extradition process for the return of this fugitive back to the United States, and as a result Juan David Villegas was captured and returned to stand trial for the deaths of his wife and four daughters in New Mexico. On June 12, 2016, it is alleged that former fugitive Juan David Villegas shot and killed his wife, Cynthia Villegas and shot and killed his four daughters: Yamilen Villegas; Cynthia Janeth Villegas; Abigayl (Abby) Villegas; and Idaleigh (Idaly) Villegas. After Villegas allegedly killed his wife and four daughters, he fled the United States for Mexico where he was apprehended by U.S. Marshals.
“Today we begin the process of bringing justice against Juan David Villegas who rocked the community of Roswell and the entire state when he allegedly murdered his own family and fled to Mexico,” said Attorney General Hector Balderas. “I want to thank U.S. Marshal Conrad Candelaria, Fifth Judicial District Attorney Dianna Luce, and their amazing teams for their assistance in returning Juan David Villegas to New Mexico to face his crimes. Our partnerships from the federal to local levels are how we are working to put away the most dangerous, violent offenders in New Mexico.”
Attorney General Balderas is currently in Mexico meeting with Mexican justice officials, including the Attorney General of Mexico (Procurador General de la República) Raúl Cervantes Andrade to continue to strengthen New Mexico’s strong diplomatic relations with Mexico and will personally thank Attorney General Cervantes Andrade for his cooperation and effort to return Juan David Villegas to New Mexico. Attorney General Balderas also maintains regular communication with Mexican border state attorneys general regarding issues impacting the border and international extraditions.
The United States’ extradition treaty with Mexico allows extraditions of violent offenders or child predators, and the Office of the Attorney General is the only state agency in New Mexico that provides extradition support to local law enforcement and district attorneys. The Border Violence Unit of the New Mexico Office of the Attorney General navigates this lengthy and complex process with the U.S. Marshals Service, the U.S. State Department and the Department of Justice, Office of International Affairs. However, the extradition process would not be successful, if not for our strong relationships, collaborations and communication with Mexican officials. International extraditions are one of the most important functions of the New Mexico Office of the Attorney General.
Please see attached for a photo, warrant and grand jury indictment for Juan David Villegas.
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