A man who federal authorities had been looking for since last October has been apprehended and officials must now decide whether he will face the death penalty.
Martin Carrillo, 20, who was arrested Tuesday night in Kirkland, Wash., will be returned to Fargo within the next couple of weeks to face a "raft" of drug and conspiracy charges, said Drew Wrigley, the U.S. attorney for North Dakota.
Federal authorities must now decide whether they will seek the death penalty for Carrillo, who is suspected of involvement in the murder of Lee Avila of East Grand Forks, Minn.
The government has declined to seek the death penalty in the case of co-defendants facing similar charges.
Wrigley declined to say how Carrillo was found, other than to say the Drug Enforcement Agency's Drug Task Force that had been looking for him was relentless in following leads.
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Wrigley also thanked authorities in Kirkland, stating they were helpful in finding the fugitive.
U.S. Marshal Dave Carpenter said Carrillo was arrested without incident.
"When he was arrested he wouldn't admit who he was, but through other means he was identified," Carpenter said.
Prior to Carrillo's arrest, authorities had been considering asking the TV show America's Most Wanted to feature the case, Carpenter said.
"If he (Carrillo) wouldn't have been arrested, that is the route we would have taken," Carpenter said.
Carrillo is one of at least 60 people charged so far in connection with what federal officials say was a sprawling international drug ring that sold methamphetamine, cocaine and marijuana.
Readers can reach Forum reporter Dave Olson at (701) 241-5555 Drug case suspect captured Dave Olson 20071011
