Man Wanted for Homicide in Mexico Arrested Near San Angelo

SAN ANGELO, TX — A Mexican national wanted for homicide was arrested in Carlsbad, Texas, about  16 miles northwest of San Angelo.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials said 33-year-old Joaquin Gallegos was deported to Mexico on June 18.

Gallegos had been wanted by authorities in Zacatecas, Mexico, since Dec. 17, 2024, when an arrest warrant was issued for homicide. He has been removed from the United States by ICE. 

He was taken into custody on March 25 by ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) Dallas Fugitive Operations Team during a targeted immigration enforcement operation in Carlsbad. He was served an expedited removal order under the Immigration and Nationality Act.

“This foreign fugitive has been returned to his home country to face accountability for very serious crimes,” said ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Dallas acting Field Office Director Josh Johnson. “Let it be known that the communities of North Texas and Oklahoma will not be a haven for foreign fugitives evading law enforcement. ERO Dallas will seek out and find those hiding in the U.S and turn them over to our international law enforcement partners.”

Records show Gallegos previously crossed into the U.S. illegally on Nov. 19, 2020, near Laredo, Texas, and was returned to Mexico the same day by Border Patrol.

ICE encourages the public to report suspicious activity or fugitives by calling 866-DHS-2-ICE (866-347-2423) or submitting an online tip.