Capture of FBI Ten Most Wanted Fugitive Alejandro Rosales Castillo in Mexico
The Federal Bureau of Investigation has announced the capture of Alejandro “Alex” Rosales Castillo, one of its Ten Most Wanted Fugitives, in Pachuca, Hidalgo, Mexico. Castillo, who had been on the run for nearly a decade, was wanted in connection with the 2016 murder of his former co-worker, Truc Quan “Sandy” Ly Le, in Charlotte, North Carolina.
His arrest marks a significant milestone for the FBI Charlotte Field Office and its partners, who pursued him relentlessly since he was added to the Ten Most Wanted list in October 2017.
Castillo’s case began in August 2016 when Ly Le’s body was discovered in a wooded area in Cabarrus County, North Carolina. Investigators quickly identified Castillo as the prime suspect.
Surveillance footage later showed him crossing the U.S.-Mexico border at Nogales, Arizona, shortly after the crime. For years, Castillo evaded capture, living outside the United States and believed to be hiding in Mexico.
His ability to remain at large for nearly ten years underscored the challenges faced by law enforcement in tracking fugitives across international borders.
The breakthrough came on January 16, 2026, when Mexican authorities, working closely with the FBI’s Legal Attaché Office in Mexico City and the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department, located and arrested Castillo in Pachuca. He was immediately detained in Mexico City, where extradition proceedings are now underway to return him to North Carolina to face charges of murder and unlawful flight to avoid prosecution.
FBI Director Kash Patel praised the arrest, noting that Castillo is the fifth Ten Most Wanted fugitive captured since last year, a reflection of strengthened interagency cooperation and determination.
James C. Barnacle Jr., Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Charlotte Field Office, emphasized the tireless work of agents and task force officers who spent nearly a decade developing leads and pursuing Castillo.
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Chief Estella Patterson echoed this sentiment, highlighting the persistence of investigators who never abandoned the pursuit of justice for Ly Le’s family.
The capture has been hailed as a victory not only for law enforcement but also for the community of Charlotte, which has waited years for closure in this tragic case.
The arrest of Alejandro Rosales Castillo serves as a reminder of the FBI’s commitment to pursuing fugitives no matter how long they remain at large. It also underscores the importance of international collaboration in law enforcement, as Mexican authorities played a crucial role in bringing Castillo into custody.
For the family of Sandy Ly Le, the capture opens the door to long-awaited justice, marking the end of a painful chapter and the beginning of legal proceedings that will finally hold Castillo accountable for his alleged crimes.
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