Cartel connected man wanted for murder, racketeering caught in Mexico

SAN ANTONIO (KTSA News) — A fugitive wanted in the United States for murder, kidnapping and racketeering has been captured in Mexico.

The FBI said 47-year-old Juan Mendez is an alleged associate of the Gulf Cartel and had been wanted for his alleged involvement in racketeering — which included murder in connection to racketeering — in Indiana and Texas between 2015 and 2018.

The San Antonio FBI had announced in February a reward of up to $25,000 for information leading to Mendez’s arrest.

He was captured last Thursday in Playa del Carmen, Mexico and was deported to the United States the next day.

Mendez had an initial court appearance in federal court in Houston Monday.  He will be back in court Tuesday.