UPDATE: SHERIFF’S OFFICE CONFIRMS BODY FOUND IN JUAREZ, MEXICO TO BE THAT OF HORIZON KIDNAP VICTIM

SHERIFF’S OFFICE CONFIRMS BODY FOUND  IN JUAREZ, MEXICO TO BE THAT OF  HORIZON  CITY KIDNAP VICTIM

NEWS RELEASE

Contact: Deputy Jesse Tovar /  PUBLIC AFFAIRS  

Direct: (915) 538-2119

Pager: (915) 533-0733 (#5370)

EMAIL: jtovar@epcounty.com

Release Date / Time:  WEDNESDAY, September  9, 2009  2:20 PM

SECTION: El Paso County Sheriff's Office – / CRIMES AGAINST PERSONS DETECTIVES (CID)

EVENT:  DETECTIVES CONFIRM BODY FOUND IN JUAREZ, MX  TO BE HORIZON CITY KIDNAP VICTIM 

LOCATION OF OCCURRENCE: CALLE ALMENDROS / AVENIDA EJERCITO NACIONAL -JUAREZ, MEXICO

DATE / TIME:  TUESDAY, September  8, 2009  10:55 PM

RESULT:  BODY FOUND IDENTIFIED

JUAREZ, MEXICO- Late Tuesday night September 8, 2009 10:55 PM, the mutilated body of a male subject was found near the areas of Calle Alemendros & Avenida Ejercito Nacional- Juarez, Mexico. The deceased resembled an individual who was kidnapped from El Paso County, Texas last week 09-03-09.

Sheriff’s Detectives had been working with Mexican authorities throughout the night trying to identify the deceased. After an extensive 14  hour investigation working with the family of the deceased, Sheriff’s Detectives have made the identification of the individual found to be that of Sergio Saucedo of Horizon City, TX (El Paso County).  

Mr. Saucedo’s HOMICIDE is in fact connected with the on-going narcotic activity in the border area. CID Detectives are continuing the AGGRAVATED KIDNAPPING aspect of the investigation. 

 The Sheriff’s Office is the lead agency in this investigation being assisted by the FBI. Crime Against Persons Detectives are actively working this case and are following several leads. Sheriff’s Detectives are urging anyone who has any information regarding this kidnapping to please contact Sheriff’s Office dispatch at (915) 546-2280 or CRIMESTOPPERS OF EL PASO at (915) 566-TIPS (8477).

BACKGROUND 09-03-09:

HORIZON CITY, TX- Early Thursday afternoon 09-03-2009 at approximately 2:40 PM, Horizon City Police Officers were dispatched to a residence in the 14000 block of Desert Sunset, Horizon City, TX in reference to a kidnapping that had just occurred at a residence (14237 Desert Sunset). Officers arrived and met with the female resident who told authorities that her husband was forcibly taken from the home. Apparently three Hispanic males made entry into the home & proceeded to tie the Victim up with duct tape where he was carried carried thru the back residence door by two of the suspects. The case was immediately handed over to the Sheriff’s Office who responded within minutes. CID- Crime Against Persons Detectives were also summoned to the scene.

Apparently several individuals who witnessed the abduction heard a gunshot & also heard the victim struggling & yelling for help. According to witnesses, the victim was placed into a dark Maroon Ford Expedition SUV with dark tinted windows, black fenders around the wheel wells and chrome aftermarket wheels.

The SUV was not displaying any license plates. and was last seen travelling Eastbound on Desert Wind St.

According to several witnesses, the incident was witnessed by school children being transported on a school bus. Sheriff’s Office officials in coordination with school officials are providing counseling for the children who witnessed the incident. 

The Victim was identified as SERGIO SAUCEDO (30) of 14237 Desert Sunset Horizon City, TX. SAUCEDO was last seen wearing a black t-shirt with a Budweiser Logo, blue jeans &  Gray / Black Nike Tennis Shoes.

The THREE suspects are described as follows;

#1.) 5’08” /thin build/mustache

#2.) 5’08” /thin build/mustache

#3.) 5’02” /thin build/mustache

All were wearing black baseball caps/black t-shirts/blue jean shorts/black tennis shoes/black gloves. The suspects displayed handguns during the abduction.

     END OF NEWS RELEASE

The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office in March of 2001 was the first Sheriff’s Office in the State of Texas to be Internationally Accredited from CALEA and is now the recipient of the First CALEA Tri-Arc award in Texas (4^th in the Nation) to have accreditations in: Law Enforcement, Communications, Training Academy.