BajaNomad - Estranged spouse sought in stabbing

Estranged spouse sought in stabbing

BajaNews - 12-13-2009 at 12:38 PM

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2009/dec/12/woman-slain-h...

By Kristina Davis & Karen Kucher
Saturday, December 12, 2009

Fresh out of a federal law enforcement academy, pregnant with her third child and in the midst of a divorce, 28-year-old Maribel Arteaga was on the cusp of a new chapter in her life.

That ended Thursday night when she was fatally stabbed at her Chula Vista apartment in front of her two young sons, police said.

Before she died at a hospital, Arteaga was able to identify her husband as the assailant.

A manhunt continued late last night for Jesus “Alex” Arteaga Garcia, 28, who is considered to be armed and dangerous.

“We don’t know if he’s going to cross the border or not. There is a concern that he is not in the right state of mind,” said Chula Vista police Lt. Roxana Kennedy.

Witnesses told police that Jesus Arteaga knocked on the door of his wife’s apartment on Santa Alicia Avenue near East Palomar Street just before 8:30 p.m. Thursday. When she opened the door, he stabbed her with a long-blade hunting knife or fishing knife, Kennedy said.

The couple’s two sons, ages 4 and 6, were home at the time of the attack, as was her live-in boyfriend, who works for the federal Department of Homeland Security.

Arteaga, a rookie U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer hired in May, was two months pregnant, authorities said.

“(The suspect) came to the door and the boyfriend went into another room, thinking it was a normal visitation,” Kennedy said.

While Arteaga spent several months earlier this year attending the federal law enforcement academy in Georgia, her husband took care of their sons, according to court records.

After she returned in November to begin her job at the Tecate Port of Entry, Arteaga told her husband that she was leaving him and took the children, court records show.

He filed for divorce Nov. 17 after eight years of marriage, asking for joint custody of their sons.

The couple were scheduled to meet for a custody mediation in court next month.

Jesus Arteaga, who works as a journeyman waterproofer, grew up in Tijuana and most recently lived in National City with his mother. The vehicle he was last seen driving, a gray Ford Ranger pickup, was found in Tijuana last night.

He also may have access to an older-model blue Chevrolet minivan with Baja California license plate BCW-66-27, as well as a newer-model white Chevrolet Cobalt LT with California license plate 6HKG044.

Jesus Arteaga has a tattoo of a tiger on his right arm, police said.

Anyone with information can... contact Chula Vista police at (619) 691-5151.

Arteaga_t352.jpg - 24kB

BajaNews - 12-13-2009 at 12:46 PM

Homicide suspect Jesus Arteaga Garcia.

Arteaga-Garcia_DMV09_t352.jpg - 9kB

Mulegena - 12-13-2009 at 01:15 PM

A tragedy.

Bless this young mother's soul and protect her babies.

Maribel was the border crossing officer who was at the kiosk when I crossed into the US a few weeks ago. She was pleasant and respectfully professional.

A loss to so many.

JESSE - 12-13-2009 at 01:20 PM

Sad story, what caught my eye was that the husband took care of the kids while she was away at the academy. So that means the guy cared and loved them, wich would in a way explain why he went nuts.

Tragic

Bajahowodd - 12-13-2009 at 01:22 PM

I agree, Jesse. It kind of reminds me of the types of situations where a spouse works while the other goes to Law School or Med School, and once graduated, divorces their benefactor. Except in this case, much more tragic results.

Packoderm - 12-13-2009 at 01:35 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bajahowodd
I agree, Jesse. It kind of reminds me of the types of situations where a spouse works while the other goes to Law School or Med School, and once graduated, divorces their benefactor. Except in this case, much more tragic results.

Was her live in boyfriend also a member of the academy with her? If so, this would seem to justify the notion that it might be risky to be quite so tolerant of spouses' ambitions. A shame really. He had the kids for months while she was gone, and she then took them away? If I was her, I would have predicted the big emotional/psychological snap.

lizard lips - 12-13-2009 at 02:33 PM

Keep your eyes open for this piece of work and send him to jail where he belongs for the rest of his life.........

Bajahowodd - 12-13-2009 at 02:47 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Packoderm

Quote:

The perp was described as being a journeyman waterproofer. may also be a case where there was a substantial difference in education and background. But, the trigger may really have been, at least according to the story, that the victim's live-in boyfriend was present.

JESSE - 12-13-2009 at 03:27 PM

Yeah, she was fresh out of the academy, wich means i guess that she met her new man at the academy as well. Damn, losing the kids, the wife, and having the new man living in the house with the kids in such a short time is a good recipe for disaster.

Theres only losers in this story.

Packoderm - 12-13-2009 at 04:07 PM

When my son comes of age and if he is not yet educated/certified in a desired field, and if was to come to me and say that he will work to finance his wife's education/certification, I will support them in any way I can as long as he allows me to first hire a lawyer for him to draw up a binding agreement that she is to finance his education/certification upon the start of her employment in her new field - even if they get separated or divorced. I've seen such cases when the wife gets certified (as a nurse in one particular case) and then leave the husband holding the bag. I'd actually rather that my son and daughter in law both take out student loans for a concurrent pursuit of educational goals so that they can grow together. You'll probably find that it is more common for husbands to deny such pursuits of growth out of fear and for the overall sake of the family.

elizabeth - 12-13-2009 at 04:18 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Packoderm

Quote:

Any of you notice that there was one more "big emotional/psychological snap"? The article said she returned home in November, but also said she was 2 months pregnant...do the math....

DianaT - 12-13-2009 at 04:20 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by lizard lips
Keep your eyes open for this piece of work and send him to jail where he belongs for the rest of his life.........

A sad story and this is the only response that has made much sense to me.

No one knows the circumstances and there seems to be a tendency to want to blame the victim---not so uncommon in similar situations. The circumstances due not matter.

And the fears, while I believe to be honest, are interesting to say the least. The old stories used to be the woman worked to put the husband through school, and many men then excused the husband for leaving the little woman as he had outgrown her.

Just my opinion, but I cannot think of ANY reason why it is in ANY way the victims fault she was brutally murdered in front of her children. She is the victim, not the killer.

It reminds me of the old belief that it was always somehow the woman's fault if she was raped.

Lizard Lips said it all.

[Edited on 12-13-2009 by DianaT]

JESSE - 12-13-2009 at 04:24 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by elizabeth

Quote:

Originally posted by Packoderm

Quote:

Any of you notice that there was one more "big emotional/psychological snap"? The article said she returned home in November, but also said she was 2 months pregnant...do the math....

You are right, she comes back pregnant, dumps you, takes the kids, starts living with the new man AND your kids under the same roof.

I would go nuts.

And How!

Bajahowodd - 12-13-2009 at 04:24 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by JESSE
Yeah, she was fresh out of the academy, wich means i guess that she met her new man at the academy as well. Damn, losing the kids, the wife, and having the new man living in the house with the kids in such a short time is a good recipe for disaster.

Theres only losers in this story.

The victim met someone at the academy and found there was more to life beyond a journeyman waterproofer. No disrespect to hard working people everywhere. But it appears that this was a case of the farmer visiting the big city and not wanting to go back to the farm.

So much of it is basic human nature. If we weren't all flawed to some respect, there would be no need for the nightly news.

DianaT - 12-13-2009 at 04:27 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by JESSE

Quote:

Originally posted by elizabeth

Quote:

Originally posted by Packoderm

Quote:

Any of you notice that there was one more "big emotional/psychological snap"? The article said she returned home in November, but also said she was 2 months pregnant...do the math....

You are right, she comes back pregnant, dumps you, takes the kids, starts living with the new man AND your kids under the same roof.

I would go nuts.

It still would not be HER fault if you became a killer----you would be totally responsible for your actions

Packoderm - 12-13-2009 at 04:29 PM

It was the man's fault for not thinking things through to begin with. He will and should pay. It's just a shame that she had to pay such a high price.

elizabeth - 12-13-2009 at 04:32 PM

Of course it would not ever be her fault that she was killed...I think what was being discussed here was not excuse, or blaming her, but explaining some of the husband's reasons for a crazy, inexcusable, criminal act. It can be all those things and still be understood how he could snap...and still not ever be her fault.

JESSE - 12-13-2009 at 04:33 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by DianaT

Quote:

Originally posted by lizard lips
Keep your eyes open for this piece of work and send him to jail where he belongs for the rest of his life.........

Nobody deserves to be murdered like that, on that we all agree. But as a man, i can tell you it was too much to handle i such a short time for anybody. I have no pitty for men who do bad things because a woman left them, or because their woman found another guy, or because she took the kids. Its tough, but you have to move on. But everything at once in such a short time? yikes!

Bajahowodd - 12-13-2009 at 04:34 PM

No argument here, Diane. I cannot excuse nor condone what this guy did. What we are discussing here is more about the "why". I don't get the sense that anyone posting here was saying that it was her fault for what she did. Merely, that what she did, was catalyst to a man of what appears to be minimal education, going over the edge. I don't want to appear to be profiling here, but just looking at the photos and seeing where they both were employment-wise at the time of the crime, this awful tragedy seemed almost destined.

JESSE - 12-13-2009 at 04:36 PM

By the way, i should make it very clear, i am not blaming her for anything. But the guy wasn't just your regular scumbag as far as i am concerned.

DianaT - 12-13-2009 at 04:50 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by JESSE
By the way, i should make it very clear, i am not blaming her for anything. But the guy wasn't just your regular scumbag as far as i am concerned.

Yes, he is the regular scumbag for what he did, IMHO.

Quote:

Originally posted by JESSE
So that means the guy cared and loved them, wich would in a way explain why he went nuts.

Sounds like excusing him??

Quote:

Originally posted by Bajahowodd
But, the trigger may really have been, at least according to the story, that the victim's live-in boyfriend was present.

Poor guy couldn't help himself

OK, but you all say you are not blaming the victim, just trying to understand why----does not matter, he is a scumbag and her biggest mistake may have been ever marrying him in the first place.

So, in the interest of fairness, there may be many, many reasons for why she did what she did----maybe it is all the husbands fault---maybe he is a real creep who abused his wife in many ways. He obviously was capable of real violence. Maybe he drove her away.

On and on----but in the end, I would argue she was responsible for her decisions.

But the discussion seems to be one sided----what drove that poor man to do what he did.

Packoderm - 12-13-2009 at 04:52 PM

Of course this discussion will need to set a reference based on how things overtly appear until further information is borne out, or there is no discussion at all which would not suit us at all.

It would technically not be my fault if I was murdered for going to a biker bar, kicking over a long row of bikes and then laughed out loud about it. However, I want to live, so I will not transgress so blatantly - even if my killers were certain to get the chair. She should have had the same foresight, but affairs of the heart don't work that way.

DianaT - 12-13-2009 at 04:55 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Packoderm
She should have had the same foresight, but affairs of the heart don't work that way.

Or maybe, just maybe she wanted her education to escape being with a violent creep----maybe. Maybe she tried to leave him before, maybe---on and on.

JESSE - 12-13-2009 at 05:12 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by DianaT
Yes, he is the regular scumbag for what he did, IMHO.

There is a diference betwen commiting a crime out of jealously or anger, and commiting a crime after going insane because you reached your breaking point.

Quote:

Originally posted by DianaT
Sounds like excusing him??

Understanding his breaking point is not excusing him for a horrible crime.

Quote:

Originally posted by DianaT
Poor guy couldn't help himself

OK, but you all say you are not blaming the victim, just trying to understand why----does not matter, he is a scumbag and her biggest mistake may have been ever marrying him in the first place.

So, in the interest of fairness, there may be many, many reasons for why she did what she did----maybe it is all the husbands fault---maybe he is a real creep who abused his wife in many ways. He obviously was capable of real violence. Maybe he drove her away.

On and on----but in the end, I would argue she was responsible for her decisions.

But the discussion seems to be one sided----what drove that poor man to do what he did.

This very same discussion has been going on at the Union Tribune website. So we are not alone.

DianaT - 12-13-2009 at 05:15 PM

Jesse,

No, we are not alone in discussing it. I know you think the man went crazy---OK

But is it also possible he was a violent, abusing person who drove her to to what she did?

It is not uncommon for an abusive violent husband to kill a wife who leaves him. And that he did it in front of his children leads me to believe he cared nothing about them.

That he cared for them while she was in school could also have more to do with control than caring---not uncommon for abusive husbands to want custody and control of their children.

[Edited on 12-14-2009 by DianaT]

Packoderm - 12-13-2009 at 05:15 PM

"There is a diference betwen commiting a crime out of jealously or anger, and commiting a crime after going insane because you reached your breaking point."

Legally, that is a truism. We have different degrees of murder.

Packoderm - 12-13-2009 at 05:19 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by DianaT
Jesse,

It is not uncommon for an abusive violent husband to kill a wife who leaves him. And that he did it in front of his children leads me to believe he cared nothing about them.

[Edited on 12-14-2009 by DianaT]

Actually, that may work in his defense. If it was premeditated, he likely would have planned an attack away from sight.

DENNIS - 12-13-2009 at 05:21 PM

I think Nomads should become a professional jury. We could just do away with the judge and expensive lawyers. Hang everybody. If anybody says, "Not guilty." shoot them right where they stand.

Oh...Idonno

Dave - 12-13-2009 at 05:24 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by JESSE
she comes back pregnant, dumps you, takes the kids, starts living with the new man AND your kids under the same roof.

I would go nuts.

Some men might consider it a blessing. :rolleyes:

DianaT - 12-13-2009 at 05:24 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by DENNIS
I think Nomads should become a professional jury. We could just do away with the judge and expensive lawyers. Hang everybody. If anybody says, "Not guilty." shoot them right where they stand.

I love the George Carlin routine when he was called for jury duty and he told the judge that he could tell who was guilty everything just by looking at their eyes---if there were too close together, GUILTY---no question about it.

JESSE - 12-13-2009 at 05:26 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by DianaT
Jesse,

No, we are not alone in discussing it. I know you think the man went crazy---OK

But is it also possible he was a violent, abusing person who drove her to to what she did?

It is not uncommon for an abusive violent husband to kill a wife who leaves him. And that he did it in front of his children leads me to believe he cared nothing about them.

That he cared for them while she was in school could also have more to do with control than caring---not uncommon for abusive husbands to want custody and control of their children.

[Edited on 12-14-2009 by DianaT]

Its possible, thats why everything we are discussing is only valid in the context of the (very little) information provided. But having said that, you have to admit that even if the guy was this and that. Leaving him, taking the kids, becoming pregnant with another mans baby, and moving with that new guy with your kids in the span of one month, is sure a hell of a lot of pain for almost any man to endure.

Its hard for me to debate this, i feel the girl did not deserve what happened to her, but i don't think this guy was just your regular jealous killer. Both lives where ruined and even do i feel much more grief for her because she lost everything, i do kind of feel bad for the guy as well.

Stickers - 12-13-2009 at 05:34 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Packoderm
"There is a diference betwen commiting a crime out of jealously or anger, and commiting a crime after going insane because you reached your breaking point."

Legally, that is a truism. We have different degrees of murder.

Seems irrelevant since the result is the same.

CaboRon - 12-13-2009 at 06:10 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by JESSE

Quote:

Sounds as if you "understood" OJ as well :rolleyes:

JESSE - 12-13-2009 at 06:12 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by CaboRon

Quote:

Originally posted by JESSE

Quote:

Sounds as if you "understood" OJ as well :rolleyes:

Totally different and not even comparable crimes.

k-rico - 12-13-2009 at 06:23 PM

From the article:

"Witnesses told police that Jesus Arteaga knocked on the door of his wife’s apartment on Santa Alicia Avenue near East Palomar Street just before 8:30 p.m. Thursday. When she opened the door, he stabbed her with a long-blade hunting knife or fishing knife, Kennedy said."

Sounds like premeditated murder to me. Not a momentary fit of insanity.

[Edited on 12-14-2009 by k-rico]

ELINVESTIG8R - 12-13-2009 at 06:28 PM

This sub-human piece of garbage killed the mother of their children and does not deserve to live among us. I can only hope he is killed during his arrest.

Packoderm - 12-13-2009 at 11:07 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Stickers

Quote:

Seems irrelevant since the result is the same.

It looks like he brought the knife which is premeditated. He's in trouble if caught.

Packoderm - 12-13-2009 at 11:20 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by soulpatch
What a bunch of presumptuous BS.
There are a million maybes and a few of you simplify this to black and white, easy "answers".
How about more stereotyping? Maybe he was like so many of the Hispanics that I worked with up in the City of Oxnard that would keep their wives knocked up in line while they partied it up with their girlfriends.
Maybe the a--hole deserved to be left.......none of you know any of this unless you knew these people personally.
Get a grip those of you with such righteous and fragile egos.
Weak.

I'm leaning towards agreement with you. I guess we'll find out the particulars as they stream in. However, if I found out that my sister was going to leave her kids in her husband's care for months while she went away to an academy, meet a new man at the academy, get pregnant with the new man while away, come back announcing her wish to leave her husband, and take the kids, I'd caution her about her timing. Furthermore, if her husband was an off-the-hook crazy buttcrack, I'd pray that she would handle it someway differently, and I'd pray for her safety, but I'd feel worried and dreadful.

bajabass - 12-14-2009 at 08:34 AM

No matter what she did, he needs to be caught, tried by a jury, and executed!!!

DianaT - 12-14-2009 at 09:35 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by bajabass
No matter what she did, he needs to be caught, tried by a jury, and executed!!!

Life in prison is, IMHO, is a far worse sentence----a very long slow death.

My thoughts and hopes are for the welfare of the children --- so very sad for them.

[Edited on 12-14-2009 by DianaT]

Fugitive husband suspected to be in Tijuana

BajaNews - 12-23-2009 at 09:50 PM

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2009/dec/22/fugitive-soug...

By Karen Kucher
December 22, 2009

SAN DIEGO – Law enforcement officers believe a man wanted for killing his 28-year-old pregnant estranged wife is hiding out in Tijuana and have filed a federal charge of unlawful flight to avoid prosecution against him.

The U.S. Marshals Service is offering up to a $5,000 reward for information leading to the capture of Jesus Alejandro “Alex” Arteaga. He is being sought in connection with the Dec. 11 fatal stabbing of Maribel Arteaga, a rookie U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer.

Witnesses told police that Arteaga knocked on the door of his estranged wife’s Chula Vista apartment that morning and when she opened the door, he stabbed her with a long-blade hunting knife or fishing knife.

Arteaga, who had two young children, was two months pregnant.

Deputy U.S. Marshal Omar Castillo said it is believed that Arteaga is hiding out in the Sanchez Taboada neighborhood of Tijuana and possibly driving a blue or white van with Baja plate BCW-66-27.

Anyone with information about the case is asked to call the U.S. Marshals Service at (877) 926-8332 or (877) WANTED2. Spanish speakers should call (619) 454-9011.

Arteaga-Garcia_DMV09_t352.jpg - 9kB

Beachgirl - 12-25-2009 at 08:42 AM

Guess he won't be winning that custody battle

ELINVESTIG8R - 12-25-2009 at 09:42 AM

He needs to be eating crappy jail food right now or providing food for the worms not free out here with the rest of us. I only hope he is suffering some agonizing pain out there somewhere. :fire:

Reward Offered in Murder of Pregnant Customs Agent

BajaNews - 1-22-2010 at 02:09 PM

http://www.sandiego6.com/news/local/story/Reward-Offered-in-...

Jan/21

SAN DIEGO - Authorities announced an $8,500 reward Thursday for information leading to the capture of a fugitive wanted on suspicion of murdering his pregnant estranged wife two weeks before Christmas.

Jesus "Alex" Arteaga Garcia, 28, allegedly knocked at U.S. Customs agent Maribel Arteaga's front door on the evening of Dec. 10 and attacked her with a long-bladed utility knife when she answered.

The 28-year-old victim was two months pregnant when she was mortally wounded at her apartment on Santa Alicia Avenue in Chula Vista, according to police.

The couple's sons, ages 4 and 6, were home at the time, as was the victim's live-in boyfriend, though he was in another room.

Jesus Arteaga's gray Ford Ranger pickup truck was found abandoned in Tijuana the next day. The suspect, who filed for divorce from the victim in November, grew up in the northern Baja California city.

His wife of eight years had worked as a Customs officer for about seven months.

San Diego County Crime Stoppers is offering a reward of $1,000 for information leading to the arrest of the suspect. Cox Communications and the U.S. Marshals Service have put up $2,500 and $5,000, respectively.

Anyone with information about the case is urged to call (888) 580-8477. Tipsters may remain anonymous.

Debra - 1-22-2010 at 10:18 PM

Amen "audiobaja"

Slain border agent’s sons are given college bonds

BajaNews - 6-22-2010 at 03:07 PM

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2010/jun/19/slain-border-...

By Tanya Sierra
June 19, 2010

TECATE — The Marine Law Enforcement Foundation last week presented college bonds to the sons of slain U.S. Customs and Border Protection Officer Maribel Arteaga, who was pregnant when she was stabbed to death in December.

No arrests have been made in Arteaga’s slaying and police are still searching for leads to the whereabouts of her estranged husband, Jesus Arteaga Garcia, who is a suspect. Authorities believe Garcia may be in the Sanchez Taboada neighborhood of Tijuana. He has a tattoo of a tiger on his right arm.

Arteaga, who began her career with the U.S. Customs and Border Protection in May 2009, was a Chula Vista resident.

The college bonds will be worth $30,000 upon their maturity. They were presented to Arteaga’s two sons at the Tecate port of entry, where Arteaga had been assigned.

Arrest made in murder of pregnant border agent

BajaNews - 1-31-2011 at 10:44 AM

http://www.ktla.com/news/landing/kswb-arteaga-arrest-rosarit...

Suspect's family says, 'she got what she deserved'

By John Langeler
January 29, 2011

SAN DIEGO -- The estranged husband of a pregnant border patrol agent, who was stabbed to death in front of her two sons, was arrested in Mexico, officers announced Friday.

"He was living out in the open," said Steve Jurman with the U.S. Marshals service, "He thought he was scott free just because he was across the border."

Jurman said Arteaga was hiding with his family in Tijuana. "We recieved information that the family made statements to the effect of, 'Maribel got what she deserved,'" Jurman said.

Jurman added that Arteaga has an uncle that was an officer with Tijuana Police, and he quit immediately after Maribel's death.

Authorities believe Arteaga went deep into Mexico after the murder, before resurfacing. Arteaga has told Mexican Federal Police he went to Las Vegas for several months before crossing the border, although American authorities don't believe that.

U.S. Marshals recieved a tip three days ago that led to Friday's arrest.

Sign up for KTLA 5 Breaking News Email Alerts

Jesus "Alex'' Arteaga Garcia, 29, accused of murdering his wife in December 2009, was arrested Friday by Mexican Federal agents in Tijuana, Mexico, the U.S. Marshals said.

Maribel Arteaga, 28, was pregnant with her third child, when she was attacked at her apartment on Santa Alicia Avenue near East Palomar Street just before 8:30 p.m. in December 10, 2009.

Jesus Arteaga filed for divorce from his wife, on Nov. 17, 2009 after eight years of marriage.

The couple's sons, 4 and 6, were home at the time of the attack, as was her live-in boyfriend, who works for the federal Department of Homeland Security. The boyfriend was in another room.

Maribel Arteaga, a rookie U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer hired in May 2009, was two months pregnant.

Jesus Arteaga, who worked as a waterproofer, grew up in Tijuana and had recently lived in National City with his mother.

captkw - 1-31-2011 at 11:16 AM

thank you lord,,,,,I said a little prayer and got some, fast result's

sanquintinsince73 - 1-31-2011 at 11:24 AM

Only problem now is that Mexico will not extradite him unless authorities in the states promise not to pursue the death penalty against this "pilar of society".

BajaNews - 1-31-2011 at 01:37 PM

Tijuana booking photo

arteaga_tjbookingpic.jpg - 43kB

Breaking point?

mcfez - 2-1-2011 at 07:36 AM

Sorry folks.....

Breaking point? Over the edge? Insanely out of control?

I dont think so. It's called rage. I believe we all know at any point of ourselves during a fight / argument / whatever.........not to mane or kill.

With no tears......deliver the killer(s) to hell .

Man extradited from Mexico in death of estranged wife

BajaNews - 7-28-2011 at 09:19 AM

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2011/jul/27/man-accused-o...

by Susan Shroder
July 27, 2011

A man accused in the stabbing death of his estranged wife, a U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer, was extradited to Chula Vista Wednesday from Mexico, Chula Vista police said.

Jesus Arteaga Garcia, 30, will be charged in the death of Maribel Arteaga, 28, and her unborn child. She was two months pregnant when she was fatally stabbed on Dec. 9, 2009, at her Chula Vista apartment in front of the couple’s two sons, who were ages 4 and 6 at the time.

Chula Vista police investigated and obtained an arrest warrant for Arteaga, who was believed at the time to have fled to Mexico to avoid prosecution.

On Jan. 28, Mexican federal authorities, working with deputies from the U.S. Marshals Service, arrested Arteaga in Tijuana near his sister’s apartment. He was being held in Mexico City before extradition.

On Wednesday, U.S. Marshals Service deputies transported him to San Diego and released him to the custody of Chula Vista police investigators. He will face two counts of murder, two counts of child abuse, and a special circumstances allegation for committing more than one murder. He was being held in county jail on a no-bail warrant.

At the time of the arrest, Deputy U.S. Marshal Steve Jurman said that Arteaga was receiving assistance in Tijuana from his sister and his parents, who also live there.

Maribel Arteaga worked as a customs officer at the Tecate Port of Entry.

Her estranged husband had come to her apartment, and the two had argued about the visitation of their children, authorities said. She was stabbed in the back with a long-blade knife and died at a hospital. Before she died, she identified her estranged husband as the assailant.

Chula Vista Police Chief David Bejarano called the extradition “another important step in bringing justice to Maribel’s family.”

Jurman said earlier that relatives in Tijuana were apparently sympathetic to Jesus Arteaga, and that during interviews with authorities, they said that “Maribel got what she deserved.”

DENNIS - 7-28-2011 at 09:59 AM

So...I guess this dirtbag won't be getting the death penalty since Mexico doesn't extradite if capital punishment is an option, or does that moral high ground only apply when Mexican nationals are involved?

BajaBlanca - 7-28-2011 at 11:09 AM

wow...what a horrid story. had it all taken place in Mexico, I doubt very much that he would have been around to get caught by any police dept....

I also think that many people fight over custody of kids when it really should be easier to agree upon and really should be in the presence of a neutral party and oddest of all - HE is the one who filed for divorce.

Accused customs agent killer to be arraigned Friday

BajaNews - 7-29-2011 at 01:41 PM

http://www.kusi.com/story/15174246/accused

Jul 29, 2011

CHULA VISTA (CNS) - A man accused of fatally stabbing his pregnant wife - - a U.S. Customs and Border Protection agent -- in front of her 4- and 6-year- old children at her Chula Vista apartment is scheduled to be arraigned Friday at the South Bay Courthouse.

Jesus Arteaga Garcia, 30, was extradited from Mexico to San Diego Wednesday in connection with the Dec. 9, 2009, death of his estranged wife, Maribel Arteaga, 28, who worked at the Tecate Port of Entry and was two months pregnant.

She identified her estranged husband as the assailant just before she died and authorities believe the defendant fled to Mexico to avoid prosecution, police said.

Arteaga Garcia was sheltered by his sister and parents in Northern Baja California since the murder of his wife, according to Deputy U.S. Marshal Steve Jurman.

The defendant was arrested Jan. 28 in Tijuana by Mexican federal authorities and deputies from the U.S. Marshals Service and held in custody in Mexico City to await extradition.

The San Diego County District Attorney's Office filed a request for extradition from Mexico through the U.S. state and justice departments, police said. Arteaga Garcia consented to extradition to the United States on March 31.

Arteaga Garcia faces two counts of murder, including the fetus, two counts of child abuse and a special circumstances allegation for committing more than one murder, police said. He was being held without bail pending arraignment.

BajaNews - 7-30-2011 at 01:31 PM

http://www.kusi.com/story/15174246/accused

Jul 29, 2011

CHULA VISTA (CNS) - A man extradited from Mexico to face charges that he fatally stabbed his pregnant estranged wife -- a U.S. Customs and Border Protection agent -- in front of her 4- and 6-year-old children in Chula Vista pleaded not guilty Friday to murder and child abuse counts.

Jesus Arteaga Garcia, 29, was ordered held without bail by South Bay Judge Garry Haehnle, who set an Aug. 31 preliminary hearing date.

The defendant, who is charged in the Dec. 9, 2009, slaying of Maribel Arteaga, was extradited to the United States on Wednesday. He was arrested in Tijuana on Jan. 28.

Arteaga Garcia faces a maximum of life in prison without the possibility of parole if convicted of two counts of murder -- one for his estranged wife and one for the unborn fetus -- and two counts of felony child abuse, with special circumstance allegations of lying in wait and multiple murders.

In order to ensure the defendant's extradition, authorities in the United States had to agree not to seek the death penalty, said Deputy District Attorney Enrique Camarena.

The prosecutor told reporters that the defendant and the 28-year-old victim were separated at the time of her death, and he had filed for divorce. The victim worked at the Tecate Port of Entry.

Arteaga Garcia showed up unannounced at his estranged wife's apartment the day of the murder and allegedly stabbed her during an argument after she opened the door, Camarena said.

Maribel Arteaga -- who was two months pregnant -- identified her estranged husband as the assailant before she died and witnesses told authorities that he frequented Mexico and had family there, the prosecutor said.

Arteaga Garcia was sheltered by his sister and parents in Northern Baja California until his arrest six months ago, authorities said.