Jose Rodolfo Villarreal Hernandez, known as "El Gato," was among 29 cartel leaders extradited from Mexico to the United States on Thursday. This announcement came from Chad Meacham, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas.
Villarreal Hernandez, a high-ranking member of the Beltran-Leyva Organization Drug Cartel, faces charges of interstate stalking and conspiracy to commit murder-for-hire related to the 2013 killing of a Southlake, Texas lawyer. He was added to the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted Fugitives List in October 2020 and arrested in January 2023 by Mexican authorities.
Attorney General Pam Bondi confirmed his extradition and stated her commitment to prosecuting all extradited cartel bosses "to the fullest extent of the law." Villarreal Hernandez is scheduled for an initial court appearance next week.
Evidence presented at previous trials suggested that Villarreal Hernandez orchestrated a plan to assassinate an attorney linked to a rival cartel. It is alleged he sought revenge for his father's death, which he believed involved the attorney. The victim was killed while sitting in his vehicle outside a shopping center in Southlake on May 22, 2013.
Three men who tracked the victim before his death were convicted in 2016: Jose Luis Cepeda-Cortes and Jesus Gerardo Ledezma-Cepeda received life sentences for interstate stalking and conspiracy to commit murder-for-hire. Ledezma-Campano pleaded guilty and received a 20-year sentence.
Ramon Villarreal-Hernandez, brother of Jose Rodolfo, was also implicated. Arrested in Mexico and extradited in 2020, he pleaded guilty to interstate stalking and received a ten-year sentence.
The U.S. State Department claims Villarreal Hernandez oversaw cocaine importation into the U.S., alongside violent acts within Mexico and America to maintain cartel power.
"After more than a decade, Mr. Villarreal Hernandez will have to answer for his alleged crimes in an American courtroom," said Acting U.S. Attorney Chad Meacham. R. Joseph Rothrock from FBI Dallas expressed gratitude towards law enforcement partners for their dedication since 2013.
Eduardo A. Chávez from DEA Dallas emphasized collaborative efforts between agencies: "Violence and drug trafficking are evil bedfellows, but together we will ensure communities remain safe."
An indictment represents allegations not proof; Villarreal Hernandez remains presumed innocent until proven guilty. The statutory maximum penalties include life imprisonment or death for these charges.
The investigation involved multiple agencies including FBI Dallas Field Office, DEA Dallas Field Division, Southlake Police Department among others with coordination from Mexican authorities like Fiscalía General de la República (FGR).
Assistant U.S Attorneys Shawn Smith and Laura Montes are leading prosecution against Mr. Villarreal Hernandez following prior prosecutions led by Joshua Burgess (fmr) and Aisha Saleem against other defendants involved.