For Immediate Release
June 21, 1999

Washington D.C.
FBI National Press Office

FBI Director Louis J. Freeh today announced the placement of Rafael Resendez- Ramirez, a Mexican national, on its list of "Ten Most Wanted Fugitives." The filing of a Federal Criminal Complaint was authorized by U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, W. Charles Grace, charging Rafael Resendez-Ramirez with violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1073, Unlawful Flight to Avoid Prosecution (UFAP). The UFAP process stems from local charges filed by the Jackson County District Attorney's Office for the murders of a father and daughter in Jackson County, Illinois. Jackson County Sheriff William J. Kilquist announced today that the two victims, George Morber, Sr., and Carolyn Frederick were found by his office on June 15, 1999. Sheriff Kilquist stated that latent fingerprints found at the crime scene were matched with those of Rafael Resendez- Ramirez.

Director Freeh stated that " this case underscores the value of the FBI's Ten Most Wanted program by not only alerting the public to the very real dangers posed by violent criminals to all innocent Americans, but also by serving as a key that unlocks the door to a suspect's whereabouts. We hope that the publicity afforded to Mr. Ramirez today by local authorities in Texas and Illinois, as well as by this Top Ten announcement, will bring his swift apprehension."

On December 17, 1998, Rafael Resendez-Ramirez allegedly burglarized the residence of Dr. Claudia Benton in West University Place, Texas, during which jewelry, cash, and stereo equipment were stolen. Dr. Benton's vehicle was also taken; however, it was recovered the next day in a San Antonio, Texas, parking lot near railroad tracks. Dr. Benton's body was found by authorities in her home soon after the burglary.

Resendez-Ramirez is also wanted for questioning in a series of homicide, rape, and burglary cases in West University Place, Texas; Weimar, Texas; Houston, Texas; Fayette County, Texas; and Lexington, Kentucky. He usually escapes in vehicles, stolen from the crime scenes, which he later abandons.

The following is a list of victims of crimes in which Rafael Resendez-Ramirez is a suspect:

• Christopher Maier of Lexington, Kentucky, homicide victim found on August 29, 1997.
• Claudia Gabriella Benton of West University, Texas, homicide victim found on December 17, 1998.
• Norman Jerome Sirnic and Karen Foltermann Sirnic of Weimar, Texas, homicide victims found April 30, 1999.
• Josephine Konvicka of Fayette County, Texas, homicide victim found on June 4, 1999.
• Noemi Dominguez of Houston, Texas, homicide victim found June 5, 1999.

Authorities have determined that Resendez-Ramirez also uses freight railroad transportation, and the offenses for which there is evidence connecting him, have all occurred in close proximity to railroad tracks. He has no known permanent address and may be traveling throughout the United States, Mexico, and Canada. Family and associates are located in California, Texas, New Mexico, and Mexico. Places where he has lived include the following: Puebla, Mexico; Sterling Heights and Ann Arbor, Michigan; St. Louis, Missouri; Las Cruces and Albuquerque, New Mexico; Tulsa, Oklahoma; New Orleans, Louisiana; San Antonio, Texas; and Miami, Florida.

Resendez-Ramirez has been known to work as a day laborer and migrant worker. He has also received training as an auto mechanic in a Florida prison.

Resendez-Ramirez is believed to be a heavy user of alcohol and drugs. He is allergic to aspirin.

He should be considered armed and extremely dangerous due to prior firearm convictions and the use of sharp objects and blunt instruments during the commission of crimes.

Born in Puebla, Mexico, Resendez-Ramirez is a Hispanic white male, approximately 39 years old, 5' 7" tall, and weighing 150 pounds. His date of birth is August 1, 1960. He has black hair and brown eyes and he may wear prescription glasses. Resendez-Ramirez has scars on his right ring finger, his left wrist and his forehead. He has a snake tattoo on his left arm and may possibly have a flower tattoo on his left wrist. Resendez- Ramirez uses numerous dates of birth and social security account numbers.

Resendez-Ramirez has used the following aliases or nicknames: Lionzo Angel Reyes-Resendiz; Jose Angel; Jose Konig Angel; Jose R. Angel; Daniel Arnold; Daniel Edward Arnold; Carlos Cluthier Eduardo III; Daniel Eduardo III; Jose Jaramillo; Pedro Angel Jaramillo; Jose Angel Mangele; Jose Konig Mangele; Angel Martinez; Angel Joseph Martinez; Antonio Martinez; Antonio E. Martinez; Pedro Argel Resemez Ramirez; Rafael Resendez Ramirez; Jose Angel Resendez; Jose Angel Reyes Resendez; Joseph R. Reyes Resendez; Angel Reyes; Angel Joseph Reyes; Angel Martinez Reyes; Antonio Reyes; Daniel Eduardo Resendez Reyes; Jose Angel Reyes; Antonio Rodriguez; Carlos Cluthier Rodriguez; and Carlos Rodriguez.

The FBI is offering a reward of up to $50,000 for any information directly leading to the arrest of Rafael Resendez-Ramirez. Individuals with information concerning Rafael Resendez-Ramirez's whereabouts should take no action themselves, but instead, immediately contact the nearest FBI office or local law enforcement agency. For any possible sighting outside the United States, contact the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate.

Resendez-Ramirez is the 457th person to be placed on the FBI's "Ten Most Wanted Fugitives" list which began in 1950. Since then, 428 of the fugitives have been apprehended or located, 134 of them as a result of assistance from citizens. He replaces Harry Joseph Bowman who was apprehended on June 7, 1999.

Further information about Rafael Resendez-Ramirez is available on the FBI's Internet Home Page. The FBI's Internet Home Page address is as follows: http://www.fbi.gov