Feds Extradite Cartel Member for ICE Agent's Murder

A Mexican drug cartel member accused of killing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement special agent Jaime Zapata was extradited from Mexico and is being held in the United States to face murder charges, U.S. Justice Department officials said Wednesday.

A Mexican drug cartel member accused of killing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement special agent Jaime Zapata was extradited from Mexico and is being held in the United States to face murder charges, U.S. Justice Department officials said Wednesday.

Julian Zapata Espinoza, known as "El Piolin" or "Tweety Bird," is in federal custody in the District of Columbia, reports the Houston Chronicle. He was arrested in February along with five other Los Zetas members.

A federal grand jury in April returned a four-count indictment charging him with murder in the death of Zapata, attempted murder of ICE special agent Victor Avila, one count of a murder and attempted murder of internationally protected persons and one count of using a firearm during the crimes.

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