Accused Murderer|Extradited From Mexico

SAN DIEGO (CN) - A man accused of murdering a Border Patrol agent was extradited to the United States on Tuesday, the Department of Justice said.

Lionel Portillo Meza is charged with the first-degree murder of Border Patrol Agent Brian Terry.

Terry was shot to death on Dec. 14, 2012, when he and other agents encountered Portillo and four others north of Nogales, Ariz., the Justice Department said in a statement.

Portillo pleaded not guilty at his arraignment Wednesday and was ordered held without bond.

"The indictment charges Portillo Meza and others with first degree murder, second degree murder, conspiracy to interfere with commerce by robbery, attempted interference with commerce by robbery, use and carrying a firearm during a crime of violence and assault on a federal officer," the Justice Department said in the statement.

Portillo Meza was arrested in Mexico in September 2012.

Defendant Ivan Soto-Barraza was arrested in Mexico in September 2013.

Manuel Osorio-Arellanes pleaded guilty to first-degree murder and was sentenced to 30 years in prison in February this year.

Rito Osorio-Arellanes, who was in custody at the time of Terry's murder, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to interfere with commerce by robbery and was sentenced to 8 years in prison in January 2013.

Jesus Rosario Favela-Astorga and Heraclio Osorio-Arellanes are fugitives.

Subscribe to Closing Arguments

Sign up for new weekly newsletter Closing Arguments to get the latest about ongoing trials, major litigation and hot cases and rulings in courthouses around the U.S. and the world.

Email *

Submit