Pair of New Mexico Murder Suspects Arrested

Alleged to Have Gunned Down the Victim in Valencia County, New Mexico

EL PASO, TX—Jesus Angel Garcia, 31, of Peralta, New Mexico, and Alexandro Montelongo-Murillo, 23, of El Paso, were arrested earlier this afternoon at the 9400 block of Dyer Street, El Paso, Texas. Garcia and Murillo are both wanted by the Valencia County Sherriff’s Office (VCSO), New Mexico, in reference to the execution style murder of Daniel Sandoval of Meadow Lake, New Mexico.

It is alleged that on March 2nd, 2019, Garcia and Murillo engaged in a vehicle pursuit with Sandoval and a second victim in the Meadow Lake neighborhood of Los Lunas, New Mexico. During this vehicle pursuit, it is alleged that Garcia and Murillo discharged firearms at the vehicle Sandoval was operating. Sandoval was struck several times during this assault and later died at a local hospital of the injuries sustained during the attack. The second victim was unharmed. The ensuing investigation, led by the VCSO, identified Garcia and Murillo as suspects. On March 3, 2019, Arrest Warrants were issued in Valencia County, New Mexico, charging Garcia and Murillo each with one count of Murder, Conspiracy to Commit Murder, and Tampering with Evidence.

The VCSO requested the assistance of the U.S. Marshals led Southwest Investigative Fugitive Task Force (SWIFT) in locating and arresting Garcia and Murillo as their whereabouts were unknown. SWIFT investigators developed information indicating that Garcia and Murillo had fled Valencia County, New Mexico, and were likely in El Paso, Texas. SWIFT investigators coordinated with members of the Lone Star Fugitive Task Force (LSFTF), El Paso Division, who initiated an investigation into Garcia and Murillo’s whereabouts. Investigative efforts led LSFTF investigators to a motel at the 9400 block of Dyer Street in El Paso’s northeast area of town. After conducting many hours of surveillance, LSFTF investigators observed Garcia emerge from a motel room. As members of the LSFTF approached the motel room, Garcia and Murillo exited the room and attempted to flee on foot in opposite directions. After brief foot chases, both Garcia and Murillo were arrested without further incident. Both Garcia and Murillo will be booked into El Paso County Detention Facility under no bond warrants and will await extradition to Valencia County, New Mexico.

United States Marshal for the Western District of Texas, Susan Pamerleau states, “These men demonstrated that they have no regard for the value of human life when they victimized Daniel Sandoval, the other victim, and the community of Meadow Lake, New Mexico. I’m proud of the concerted interstate law enforcement effort put forth to arrest these violent fugitives.”

Members of the Lone Star Fugitive Task Force: El Paso PoliceDepartment, Socorro Police Department, United States Border Patrol, Texas Department of Criminal Justice—Office of the Inspector General, Texas Department of Public Safety, El Paso District Attorney’s Office, and the United States Marshals Service.