Fugitive Held Without Bond
Pittsburgh (KDKA) -- An international fugitive arrested after a standoff in Verona earlier this week won't be getting out of jail anytime soon.
Frank Perez, Jr., 30, kept authorities at bay for hours on Tuesday afternoon. Perez, who also goes by the name Kenneth Simms, was wanted on murder charges in the state of Indiana. The FBI told KDKA-TV that Mexican authorities were also looking for him on kidnapping charges.
Earlier this week, officials added new charges including assault on a federal officer through use of a deadly weapon.
At a preliminary hearing this morning, Perez was ordered held for further action by a federal grand jury; and a federal judge ordered that he be held without bond.
During the hearing, new details were revealed about the standoff in Verona by FBI agent Robert Smith, the assistant team leader on scene.
Smith testified that eleven FBI agents were involved in the encounter, as well as countless local officers.
Smith testified Perez fired 30 rounds during 15 minutes of gunfire.
The agent said the only return fire from law enforcement was 24 tear gas canisters to force Perez out.
Based on today's testimony, Federal Magistrate Judge Robert Mitchell determined Perez is a danger to the community and a risk of flight.
Prosecutors, though, refused to reveal any information about how they found Perez, citing concern for the safety of any informant or informants.
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FBI - Pittsburgh Division
