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Albuquerque, NM – The U.S. Marshals Service
has announced the addition of Edward Salas to its
15 Most Wanted fugitive
list. A convicted child killer, Salas escaped from the Curry County
Detention Center in Clovis, New Mexico, on August 28, 2008, and has been on the
lam ever since. At the time of his escape, he was serving a life sentence plus
56 years for his role in the murder of 10-year-old Carlos Perez.
On September 15, 2005, Salas, along with his brothers Orlando Salas and Demetrio
Salas and two other individuals, planned to murder Ruben Perez during the night,
reportedly in retaliation for an argument that occurred earlier that day at the
Clovis High School. Instead they killed his brother, Carlos, who was sleeping in
the same bedroom. The child died just one day before his 11th birthday.
“Salas was party to a horrific crime, the murder of an innocent young child, and
has been on the run for far too long,” said Geoffrey S. Shank, Acting Assistant
Director for Investigative Operations. “There is no hiding from the long arm of
the law. We will employ every available resource to locate, arrest, and return
Salas to prison so that he can serve the remainder of his sentence.”
Nearly three years into his prison term, Salas and seven other prisoners escaped
from the Detention Center. He made his way to Friona, Texas, where he stayed
under the radar until November 27, 2008, when he was spooked from his hideout by
law enforcement activity in the area. A fellow escapee, Luis Chaves, was
arrested, but Salas disappeared.
“Salas committed a dastardly violent act against an innocent child and for this
very reason every law enforcement agency within the District of New Mexico will
relentlessly pursue justice against him,” said Conrad E. Candelaria, U.S.
Marshal for the District of New Mexico. “This pursuit is now rippling with a
wave of support throughout the entire United States; every Marshals Service
office in 94 Districts will work collectively to ensure justice is served
against this child killer.”
Orlando Salas, Demetrio Salas, David Griego, and Noe Torres were identified as
Salas’ accomplices in this crime. Three of the four were tried and convicted.
Authorities believe that Torres, who is also wanted for involvement in the
murder, has fled the United States.
Salas is 5 feet 5 inches tall and weighs 180 pounds. He has brown hair, brown
eyes, and scars on both arms.
A reward of up to $25,000 is offered for
information leading directly to Salas’ arrest. Anyone with information is urged
to contact the nearest U.S. Marshals office, American Embassy/Consulate, or the
U.S. Marshals Service Communications Center at 1-800-336-0102.
Additional information about the
U.S. Marshals Service can be found at
http://www.usmarshals.gov.
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