Reprint from the Progress Times - February 23, 2007
©Progress Times 2007 - All Rights Reserved

Guerrero Back In Custody After His Arrest In Mexico

Omar Guerrero of Mission is no longer a fugitive. And authorities on Monday, February 19, took steps to avoid a repeat.

The 30-year-old former Hidalgo County District clerk is back in Mission city jail after being re-captured and arraigned on charges of sexual assault of minor before Mission Municipal Court Judge Horacio Peña Monday, February 19, on sexual assault charges.

Despite pleas from Guerrero's attorney, Keno Vasquez, that he should be allowed to be freed on bond, Peña, because of the ex-clerk's flight to Mexico, ordered him to be held without bond.

Vasquez had argued that his client could be released under certain conditions such as house arrest and electronic surveillance.

After losing this argument, Vasquez indicated that he will appeal the judge’s decision in district court.

Prior to the arraignment, a press conference was held at which John Johnson, an FBI agent, explained the FBI's involvement.

"We became involved because of two features of the case - unlawful flight to avoid prosecution and use of political influence to evade charges, " he explained.

The municipal courtroom was crowded during the arraignment with media representatives, who have been closely following the case. Guerrero, in hand and ankle cuffs, said little, only answering questions as he stood before the judge.

The lengthy manhunt came to an end after Guerrero was arrested at a Reynosa, Mexico, 7-11 Saturday, February 17, by Mexican officers.

He was turned over to the FBI two hours later. He had argued unsuccessfully that he was a Mexican citizen and could not be extradited. His claim that he's a Mexican citizen was untrue.

The ex-clerk's troubles with the law began in November, 2005, when he was arrested after he went to a crime scene to help a friend and officers found marijuana in the car he was driving.

After losing his reelection bid to Laura Hinojosa last year, Guerrero was again arrested in September after his wife, Karina, accused him of assaulting her.

The Mission man's troubles continued to pile up when he was arrested on charges of having sexual relations with a 15-year-old girl in a Mission hotel.

Sergeant Martin Garza, Mission Police public information officer, said the girl later told police she had had other sexual encounters with Guerrero at several other hotels in the area.

It was alleged by the girl's guardian that he had made threats to kill her and her family if she told authorities about the alleged relationship.

Then on December 7, Mission police seized a large amount of marijuana and cocaine from Guerrero's north McAllen home.

Guerrero's wife divorced him in February and took back her maiden name, Rodriguez. She was granted custody of their young daughter and he was ordered to pay $500 a month in child support.

The fugitive's arrest in Reynosa occurred Saturday evening after he was spotted entering a convenience store. He was arrested at the store and later brought back across the Hidalgo-Reynosa bridge.

Garza said Guerrero cooperated with officers during the quick transfer from Mexico to Mission.

Initially, after the ex-clerk refused to turn himself in to face the charges, Mission police requested the help of the FBI and Texas Rangers. Officers by then had determined that Guerrero was hiding out in Mexico.

Since he’s been held, Guerrero has complained of chest pains twice and was taken to Mission Regional Medical Center. He was checked out by doctors who determined he could be returned to the jail.

Federal officials have dropped an unlawful flight charge, and Guerrero’s ex-wife has asked the district attorney’s office to drop a domestic abuse charge filed earlier.