News Release
For Information Contact:
May 4, 2006
RAMONA SANCHEZ, DEA, (602) 602-664-5725
SANDY RAYNOR US Atty's Office (602) 514-7625

The Trial of Augustin Vasquez-Mendoza

MAY 4--Opening statements in the trial of Augustin Vasquez-Mendoza will be on Monday, May 8^th at 10:30 a.m. in Superior Court, courtroom 702 .   If you have not yet done so, please submit camera requests to Superior Court's Media Relations Office (J.W. Brown, 602-506-7378). You can submit your request online at http://www.superiorcourt.maricopa.gov.

Use the link below for the most updated information:http://www.superiorcourt.maricopa.gov/publicInfo/highProfile/hplSelect.asp

Case background:
On June 30, 1994, Special Agent Richard E. Fass, was shot numerous times while operating in an undercover capacity.   Vasquez-Mendoza and his associates planned to rob Special Agent Fass of $160,000 in cash that they believed was for the purchase of methamphetamine.  Vasquez-Mendoza and three additional defendants, Rafael Rubio-Mendez, Juan Vasquez-Rubio and Eduardo Aceves-Vasquez, were identified as being involved in planning the robbery/murder of Special Agent Fass. Vasquez-Mendoza managed to evade capture and fled to Mexico. The three co-defendants were arrested and charged.  All three co-defendants were subsequently convicted and sentenced for their part in the murder of Special Agent Fass. 

On July 9, 2000, Augustin Vasquez-Mendoza was arrested in the State of Puebla, Mexico, and an extradition was requested for his return to the U.S. to face charges.

On January 29, 2005, Vasquez-Mendoza was extradited from Mexico to the United States to stand trial for his role in the murder of DEA Special Agent Richard Fass.  Vasquez-Mendoza faces life in prison, with the possibility of parole after serving 25 years, if convicted of the charges.  The manhunt for Vasquez-Mendoza was one of the most intense in recent U.S./Mexico law enforcement history.