CLOVIS, N.M. -- After the shooting death of 10-year-old Carlos Perez in Clovis in 2005, five men were wanted for murder. Four were caught within 24 hours -- but one, Noe Torres, was on the run ever since.
That is, until just a few weeks ago when he was captured in Chihuahua, Mexico.
"We're working on the extradition process. It's a lengthy process," said 9th Judicial District Attorney, Matt Chandler. "A lot of that depends on whether Noe Torres fights extradition or whether he's willing to work with the officials to be extradited. Regardless, we're putting together all the paperwork and we expect to have him back in the next 30 to 60 days," he said.
Soon, he'll be behind bars in the Curry County Detention Center, but quite possibly, not for long.
"Based on his criminal history, his flight risk, his threat to escape as well as some of the individuals that are currently in the Curry County Detention Center," said Chandler. "We feel it would be not only safer for Noe Torres but also other individuals in this community for him to be housed in maximum security in the State Department of Corrections."
Chandler hopes that relocation takes place within two weeks of Torres being brought back to Clovis, but that exact location hasn't been decided.
"That will be certainly up to the Secretary of Corrections," said Chandler. "They have different areas for different people needs. That's something that they're the experts on and they'll house him where they feel necessary."
While Torres' capture may bring a little peace of mind for some, with one of his accomplices and Curry County Jail escapee, Edward Salas, still at large -- the fight for justice is far from over.
"Someone knows where he is and there is a $25,000 cash reward for his capture," said Chandler. Like I said, he's been convicted of killing a 10-year-old child and it's time he brought back to justice."
