Man Sought In 2010 L.I. Killings Added To FBI's Most Wanted List
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) -- A reputed gang member wanted in connection with the execution-style slayings of his 19-year-old girlfriend and her 2-year-old son has been added to the FBI's "10 Most Wanted Fugitives" list.
Juan Elias Garcia, 21, is the last of four MS-13 gang members sought in the February 2010 killings of Vanessa Argueta and her child, Diego Torres, on Long Island, the FBI said Wednesday.
Argueta had ties to rival gangs which allegedly threatened Garcia after the two got into a fight, authorities said.
Garcia and two other MS-13 members got permission from the gang's leader to take Argueta and her son into the woods and shoot them, the FBI said.
Garcia asked Argueta to dinner, but he and others lured her and her little boy into a remote area in Central Islip, the FBI said. She was shot in the head and chest, and when the child clung to Garcia's leg, the boy was shot in the head as well, officials said.
Garcia, also known as "Cruzito," is from El Salvador, but also has ties to Nicaragua, Honduras, Guatemala and Panama.
He is approximately 5-foot-4 and 125 pounds with black hair and brown eyes.
"He should always be looking over his shoulder because it's only a matter of time before he is captured and justice is obtained for Vanessa and Diego," said George Venizelos, head of the FBI's New York office. "The FBI will not stop looking for Garcia; we will continue to follow every lead, look under every rock until Garcia is brought to justice."
A $100,000 reward is being offered for information leading to his arrest.
"It is our hope that Garcia will do the right thing and remove himself from the Top 10 list by surrendering, it is the least he can do for his victims and their families who have suffered long enough by the murder of their loved ones," Venizelos said.
One person, who pleaded guilty to the murders, and another who was convicted by a jury are awaiting sentencing. A third person charged in connection with the murders was sentenced to three terms of life in prison, plus 60 years.
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