An arrest is expected to be announced Wednesday in the 2008 killing of a Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department deputy in Cypress Park.
Deputy Juan Escalante, a father of three, was shot and killed in August 2008 outside his boyhood home. He was 27.
Sheriff Robert Luna will speak at the 3:30 p.m. news conference after the U.S. Attorney’s Office announced earlier Wednesday that a man wanted in connection with the killing was among 26 fugitives wanted for various crimes who were recently returned to the United States from Mexico.
More details on the arrest of Roberto Salazar are expected at the afternoon news conference. It was not immediately clear when he was taken into law enforcement custody
Salazar was one of more than two dozen fugitives wanted for violent and serious crimes, including leaders of smuggling and designated terror organizations, according to the U.S. Department of Justice. They will face charges related to drug-trafficking, hostage-taking, kidnapping, illegal use of firearms, human smuggling, money laundering and other crimes, the DOJ said.
Escalante was leaving his home early that morning when he was shot in the back of the head near the 3400 block of Thorpe Avenue as he prepared to go to work at the Men’s Central Jail.
Four men believed to be gang members were arrested and charged in connection with the ambush killing. They included the shooter, who pleaded guilty to murder and other charges. he was sentenced to life in prison without parole. The fifth of six people sought in the murder was arrested in December 2012 in Mexico.
Escalante was a U.S. Army Reserve veteran had been with the sheriff’s department about 2-1/2 years.