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HARRISBURG, PA – U.S. Marshal Michael R. Regan announced today that the
U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) arrested Esteban Merchan in York.
Merchan was being sought by authorities in Hillsborough County, Florida as a
suspect in connection with a triple homicide on December 28, 2009. Four men
were attacked in the backyard of a home on Oakwood Avenue in Brandon. Two of
the victims had been fatally shot. The third victim was stabbed to death.
The only surviving victim, a 21-year old, was believed to have been stabbed
by Merchan. Police officials in Florida describe the incident as being
drug-related. Investigators believe Merchan to be a known member of the
Bloods gang.
Another man, Prentiss Earl Jackson of Orlando, was arrested New Year’s Eve
in connection with the triple homicide. Jackson was charged with
first-degree murder and other related offenses.
The fugitive case on Merchan was being worked by the U.S. Marshals Service’s
Fugitive Task Force in Tampa.
On January 8, the U.S. Marshals Service’s Fugitive Task Force in the Middle
District of Pennsylvania acted on investigative leads provided by their
counterparts in Tampa. Working closely with officers from the York City
Police Department and the Pennsylvania State Police, U.S. Marshals focused
on an address in the 200 block of East Boundary Avenue in York.
On January 8 at approximately 9:30 pm, Merchan was apprehended by U.S.
Marshals as he ran from the target location. Merchan was uncooperative, and
refused to identify himself. U.S. Marshals and local officers turned him
over to York County Central Booking.
Merchan, 19 years of age from Kissimmee, Florida, was charged as a fugitive
from justice. He is being held at the York County Prison without bail,
pending his extradition back to Hillsborough County. Additional information about the U.S. Marshals can be found at
http://www.usmarshals.gov.
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