Fugitive Illegal Immigrant Arrested in Brutal Texas Bathtub Murder Case
U.S. Marshals arrested Hernan Perez Juarez, a 41-year-old Mexican national, in Texas on Monday. Known also as ‘Patricio Perez,’ he is facing murder charges in connection with the May 8, 2020, killing of a woman who was found dead in her Georgetown, Texas, bathtub with a deep cut in her lower abdomen. The arrest followed a long-standing fugitive task force investigation that spanned over two years.
Perez Juarez, who was deported in 2018 for an immigration violation, allegedly re-entered the U.S. illegally before committing the crime. Authorities confirmed his return to the country when an Austin-based task force discovered his abandoned vehicle near the international border of Mexico. The Georgetown Police Department had issued an arrest warrant in March 2022, but the case stalled due to his unknown whereabouts. The fugitive’s capture marks a significant milestone in the investigation.
The U.S. Marshals report that ICE has filed an immigration detainer on Perez Juarez, which will be processed after his judicial proceedings in Williamson County. The Department of Homeland Security did not immediately respond to inquiries on the matter. This arrest highlights the ongoing efforts by federal and local law enforcement to track down individuals who have evaded the legal system following deportation.
The case has drawn public attention regarding the challenges of tracking illegal immigrants, particularly those involved in violent crimes. Law enforcement agencies continue to emphasize the importance of securing U.S. borders and addressing immigration-related offenses. The legal and humanitarian implications of this case are being widely discussed, with advocates calling for stronger border security measures and the enforcement of immigration laws.