WASHINGTON D.C.
A federal jury Thursday convicted two Mexican cartel members of the murder of a federal officer, attempted murder of another federal officer, according to officials.
The victims were U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Special Agent Jaime Zapata and the attempted murder of ICE Special Agent Victor Avila on Feb. 15, 2011, in Mexico.
Five Others Have Pleaded Guilty to Charges in Case
The defendants, Jose Emanuel Garcia Sota, aka Juan Manuel Maldonado Amezcua, aka Zafado, 36, of San Luis Potosi, Mexico, and Jesus Ivan Quezada Piña, aka Loco, 29, of Matamoros, Mexico, are among seven Mexican nationals extradited to the U.S. on federal charges in this case.
Judge Royce C. Lamberth scheduled a status hearing for August 29. A sentencing date has not yet been set. The defendants both face mandatory life sentences for the murder conviction.
“I applaud today’s verdict and hope that it provides some measure of solace to the victims and their families,” said Acting Director Thomas D. Homan of ICE. “Six years after these defendants ambushed and murdered Special Agent Jaime Zapata and seriously wounded Special Agent Victor Avila in Mexico, ICE remains committed to ensuring all those responsible for this cowardly and brutal attack are brought to justice. To that end, we are deeply grateful to the Government of Mexico, the Department of Justice, and all our partners involved in the pursuit and prosecution of these criminals.”
Garcia Sota and Quezada Piña were found guilty of four federal offenses: murder of an officer or employee of the United States; attempted murder of an officer or employee of the United States; attempted murder of an internationally protected person; and using, carrying and brandishing and discharging a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence causing death.
The verdicts followed a trial that began July 10, in the U.S. District Court during which the government presented testimony from 22 witnesses, including Special Agent Avila.
According to the evidence, Garcia Sota and Quezada Piña were members of two Los Zetas hit squads, or “estacas,” and were on a mission on the day of the shootings to steal vehicles for use in the cartel’s operations.
On the afternoon of Feb. 15, 2011, Garcia Sota and Quezada Piña were among a group of cartel members who targeted an armored Chevrolet Suburban bearing diplomatic plates and driven by the Special Agents on a busy highway south of San Luis Potosi.
Special Agent Zapata and Special Agent Avila were on official business, heading southbound to Mexico City, when the attack took place.
During the ambush, the cartel members fired at and into the agents’ vehicle with handguns and semiautomatic assault weapons, including AK-47 and AR-15 type assault rifles.
Special Agent Zapata, 32, was fatally shot, and Special Agent Avila then 38, was wounded. Investigators later found approximately 90 shell casings at the scene, according to the trial evidence.
Five other defendants, all Mexican nationals, previously pleaded guilty to federal charges in this case.
Ruben Dario Venegas Rivera, aka Catracho, 29; Jose Ismael Nava Villagran, aka Cacho, 35; Julian Zapata Espinoza, aka Piolin, 36; and Alfredo Gaston Mendoza Hernandez, aka Camaron, 34, pleaded guilty to federal murder and attempted murder charges between August 2011 and October 2016.
The fifth defendant, Francisco Carbajal Flores, aka Dalmata, 42, plead guilty in January 2012 to conspiracy to conduct the affairs of an enterprise through a pattern of racketeering activity and to being an accessory after the fact to the murder and attempted murder of the ICE agents.
All five defendants are awaiting sentencing.