Phoenix man added to FBI ‘Most-Wanted’ list
Oct 24, 2017, 8:11 PM | Updated: Oct 25, 2017, 9:37 am
(FBI Photos)
PHOENIX — A Phoenix-born man accused in the death of his 23-year-old girlfriend has been added to the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted Fugitive List, officials said.
The FBI believes the man, Alejandro “Alex” Castillo, 18, and an accomplice fled the country through the Nogales border and into Mexico. A reward of up to $100,000 has been offered for any information that leads to his arrest.
In 2016, Castillo shot and killed 23-year-old Truc Quan “Sandy” Ly Le, whom he had previously dated, the FBI said. The woman was also once Castillo’s co-worker.
After meeting Ye under the pretext of paying back a loan, evidence shows Castillo forced her to pull a large sum of money out of ATM, then took her to a secluded wooded area and shot her in the head. He later dumped her body in a ravine in the state of North Carolina, investigators said.
Investigators found the woman’s vehicle abandoned at a Phoenix bus station.
FBI Assistant Special Agent Michael Caputo, from the Phoenix Field Office, said Castillo was added to the list because of the nature of his crime.
“And the fact that this subject brazenly then attempted to leave, flee the country,” he said.
Investigators believe Castillo and an accomplice fled the country through Nogales. The accomplice turned herself into Mexican police two months later.
“There’s a very strong likelihood that he’s in Mexico, specifically we’re focusing on Aguascalientes,” he said.
The FBI has a 94 percent success rate in terms of apprehending fugitives that make the list. Since it’s inception, 483 of 515 fugitives have been either apprehended or located. The list first began in 1950.
“Once somebody makes the FBI Top Ten list, our success rate’s very high,” he said.
Caputo said the good fortune is largely because of media reports and the public getting the word out.
Castillo has been charged with murder in North Carolina, and in February 2017 he was charged federally with unlawful flight to avoid prosecution.
He is described as being 5 feet 6 inches tall and weighing between 180 to 190 pounds.
He is considered armed and dangerous. If you have information regarding Castillo, contact your local FBI office or the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate, or submit a tip online.