Patel announces return of Alejandro Rosales Castillo to North Carolina

A fugitive on the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted list accused of a brutal 2016 murder has been transported to Charlotte, North Carolina, to face justice, marking a historic day for law enforcement as two fugitives on the list were returned to U.S. custody within hours, FBI Director Kash Patel announced Friday.

Alejandro “Alex” Rosales Castillo was arrested in Mexico last week for the murder of his former co-worker, 23-year-old Truc Quan “Sandy” Ly Le, and has been on the run for almost a decade, Patel said at a news conference in Charlotte Friday afternoon.

The FBI cooperated with Mexican authorities to transfer Castillo to law enforcement custody in Charlotte.

Patel made the announcement just hours after landing in Los Angeles to transfer another Ten Most Wanted fugitive, former Canadian Olympic snowboarder Ryan Wedding.

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“We have achieved even greater success thanks to the leadership, dedication and commitment of President Trump and his administration, and the resources they have provided to law enforcement,” Patel said at the press conference.

“It’s truly a historic moment when you were able to turn in not one, but two of the FBI’s most wanted fugitives in a single day. I don’t believe it’s happened before and I’m not sure it will happen again.”

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Castillo was arrested in Mexico on January 16. (Getty Images; FBI)

Ly Le’s body was discovered in a wooded area in Cabarrus County, North Carolina, in August 2016.

His vehicle was later found abandoned at a bus station in Phoenix, Arizona, and according to Patel, video showed Castillo crossing the U.S.-Mexico border from Nogales, Arizona, the next day.

A federal arrest warrant was issued in February 2017.

According to the FBI, Castillo was added to the Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list on October 24, 2017.

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According to the FBI, Castillo was added to the Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list on October 24, 2017. (FBI)

“Sandy Ly Lee was a first-generation college graduate and had her whole life ahead of her,” Patel wrote to X. “Her family will never get their daughter back – but hopefully today can help further the healing process and bring them peace of mind knowing that the alleged killer will face justice. It’s a big day for law and order in America.”

“If you harm American citizens, justice will come to you.”

During the press conference, Patel also called on the public to show support for law enforcement.

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“All I ask of you in your community is to thank the people here,” Patel said. “They do this job every day and barely get a loan.

“We will always stand behind law enforcement because you protect our children, you protect our communities.”