Beltran Leyva Cartel member José Rodolfo Villarreal-Hernandez—known in organized crime circles as El Gato—was apprehended by authorities in Mexico City. He had been charged for his role murder roughly ten years ago in Southlake, Texas, and was on the FBI Top 10 was years.
Mexican Cartel Boss ‘El Gato’ Arrested in Mexico City – Expected to be Extradited to Texas in Connection to 2013 Murder
In 2013, Juan Jesus Guerrero Chapa, a supposed lawyer for the rival Gulf Cartel was in Southlake on a ride with his wife. A vehicle pulled up on Chapa’s Range Rover and shot up the vehicle. Chapa was hit five times and died from his injuries.
Villarreal-Hernandez became a target of federal authorities in 2018 when an investigation into Chapa’s death pointed to El Gato ordering a hit on the lawyer. The lawyer was targeted because Villarreal-Hernandez believed that Chapa had a hand in his father’s death.
He was charged with interstate stalking and conspiracy to commit murder for hire. In addition to El Gato, three other men were arrested in connection to the murder.
The U.S has 60 days to call for extradition from Mexico City to Texas. Given that El Gato was on the FBI Top 10 list, he’s definitely someone that federal authorities want behind bars.
