Associate of Rafael Caro-Quintero arrested on supervised release violations
CALEXICO, Calif. – On May 1, 2019, Ezequiel Godinez-Cervantes was arrested at the Calexico Port of Entry on two warrants for violating the terms of supervised release. Godinez-Cervantes is a 77-year-old U.S. citizen.
A warrant was issued for Godinez-Cervantes’ arrest in October 2018 by the U.S. District Court, Central District of CA, after he violated the terms of his supervised release, stemming from a 1997 escape from confinement charge.
A second warrant was issued for Godinez-Cervantes’ arrest in December 2018 by the U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas, after he violated the terms of his supervised release, stemming from a 1997 federal drug case in the Southern District of Texas.
Mexican authorities detained Godinez-Cervantes and transported him to the U.S. Port of Entry in Calexico on May 1, 2019, where he was arrested by U.S. law enforcement. Godinez-Cervantes was arraigned on the probation violations on Thursday in a Federal Court in El Centro, Calif.
Godinez-Cervantes has a historical connection to Rafael Caro-Quintero, who is wanted for his alleged involvement in the kidnapping and murder of DEA Special Agent Enrique Camarena (a.k.a “Kiki”) in 1985. In April 2018, the Federal Bureau of Investigation added Caro-Quintero to the FBI Top Ten Most Wanted Fugitives List.
The Department of State’s Narcotics Rewards Program is offering a reward of up to $20 million for information leading to the arrest and/or conviction of Caro-Quintero. Anyone with information concerning Caro-Quintero should take no action themselves but should immediately contact the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. Tips may also be directed to 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324), or can be submitted online at fbi.gov/tips.
Additional information concerning Caro-Quintero, including his Wanted poster and the FBI’s list of “Ten Most Wanted Fugitives,” can be found by visiting the FBI’s website at www.fbi.gov
The DEA and our law enforcement partners are committed to pursuing Caro-Quintero until he is captured and brought to justice.
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