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For Immediate Release
August 09 , 2004

Sacramento, CA


LONG TIME FUGITIVE ARRESTED IN THE PHILIPPINES

SACRAMENTO, CA--Keith Slotter, Special Agent in Charge of the Sacramento Division of the FBI, and South Lake Tahoe Police Chief Don Muren announced today that  Geronimo Mendoza Zuniga,  also known as Hemi Ziniga, a fugitive from justice for nearly twenty years, was arrested on August 5, 2004, in the Philippines by the Filipino National Police, the FBI Legat Attache in Manila and the National Bureau of Investigations (NBI).  A felony warrant charging Zuniga, age 52, with murder in the August 29, 1984 stabbing death of his former wife, Lilian Ocampo Zuniga, was issued by El Dorado County on August 31, 1984. A federal arrest warrant was issued for Zuniga on September 14, 1984.  The federal warrant charged Zuniga with Unlawful Flight to Avoid Prosecution (UFAP), in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1073.  UFAP warrants are frequently used to assist local law enforcement officials in their efforts to catch fugitives suspected of having fled the state to avoid capture.                                                        
South Lake Tahoe Police detectives had information Zuniga fled to the Philippines shortly after the murder of his former wife in 1984. An extradition treaty between the United States and the Philippines  was signed in November, 1994 and entered into force on November 22, 1996.  An extradition requested was forwarded to the Philippine authorities in June, 2003.  

Recent information concerning the location and whereabouts of Zuniga was forwarded to the Philippine authorities who located and arrested Zuniga last week in Mindoro, Philippines.  

Per Special Agent in Charge Slotter, "This fugitive investigation represents the finest in international law enforcement cooperation and should serve as a warning to criminals seeking asylum that our country's legal and investigative systems will not rest in bringing fugitives to justice, nationally and globally".  Chief Muren said, "It's always gratifying when the collaboration of local, state and federal law enforcement agencies results in justice for victims of violent crimes.  This is one of those instances".  

The El Dorado County District Attorneys Office intends to proceed with the prosecution of Zuniga upon his extradition to the United States.

Media Contacts: FBI - Special Agent Karen Ernst (916) 977-2240

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