FBI fugitive apprehended in Mexico, record capture time

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FBI Ten Most Wanted Fugitive Charged in Double Homicide Apprehended in Mexico

Thursday, March 12, 2026

Share For Immediate Release Office of Public Affairs Samuel Ramirez Jr. is the Quickest Captured Ten Most Wanted Fugitive in the History of the List Samuel Ramirez Jr., 33, of Federal Way, Washington, was apprehended without incident on Tuesday, March 10, at 11:13 a.m. PT in Culiacán, Sinaloa, Mexico, only one hour and 13 minutes after being announced as the 538th addition to the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list. The previous record for shortest arrest time was Billie Austin Bryant, arrested in 1969 two hours after being added to the list.

“Unlike the prior Administration, this Department of Justice is arresting the FBI’s Top Ten Most Wanted criminals as quickly as they are added to the list,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “President Trump has unleashed American law enforcement against the worst criminals in our country — Director Patel is doing great work to Make America Safe Again.”

“Samuel Ramirez Jr.’s apprehension is a direct result of the FBI’s relentless pursuit of justice for victims and their families,” said FBI Director Kash Patel. “His senseless acts of violence placed him on the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted Fugitives List, and it is that same commitment to the victims that brought him to justice today. There is no border, no amount of time, and no place to hide from the full force of the FBI and its partners.”

“The United States Attorney’s Office supports the pursuit of justice in both federal and state prosecutions,” said First Assistant U.S. Attorney Neil Floyd for the Western District of Washington. “This case is an example of how a charge of unlawful flight to avoid prosecution can open investigatory avenues and resources to help assist our local law enforcement partners pursue critical prosecutions. Mr. Ramirez’s addition to the FBI’s 10 Most Wanted List brought attention to a case that has deeply affected our community and resulted in a swift apprehension of a dangerous fugitive.”

“This capture shows the power of local, federal, and international law enforcement working together, armed with timely and actionable information from the public,” said Special Agent in Charge W. Mike Herrington, of the FBI Seattle field office. “Assistance from the public quickly helped us learn where Mr. Ramirez was hiding and successfully bring him back to King County to face justice.”

“We are deeply grateful for the FBI’s partnership and the swift coordination among local, federal, and international law enforcement that led to Samuel Ramirez Jr.’s capture so quickly,” said Federal Way Police Chief Andy Hwang. “This arrest is an important step toward justice for the victims, Jessyca Hohn and Katie Duhnke, and toward bringing some measure of closure to their families and our community. We remain committed to ensuring that the suspect is held fully accountable.”

Ramirez Jr. is a U.S. citizen who was deported from Mexico to the United States to face murder charges in King County Superior Court. Ramirez Jr. returned to Washington state Wednesday night. His next court appearance will be his arraignment, which will be approximately two weeks after he is booked into jail in King County, Washington. Questions about the prosecution of this case should be directed to the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office.

Samuel Ramirez Jr. was wanted for his alleged involvement in the murders of two female victims on May 21, 2023, at the Stars Bar and Grill in Federal Way, Washington. A third person was also injured in the shooting. After the homicide, Ramirez Jr. was believed to have fled the state and country. Ramirez Jr. was considered armed and dangerous.

On May 24, 2023, the King County Superior Court, State of Washington, issued an arrest warrant for Ramirez Jr. after he was charged with Murder in the First Degree, Murder in the Second Degree, and Attempted Murder in the First Degree. On Nov. 14, 2025, a federal arrest warrant was issued for Ramirez Jr. in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington after he was charged with Unlawful Flight to Avoid Prosecution.

On Dec. 10, 2025, the FBI announced a reward of up to $25,000 for information leading to his arrest and conviction. On March 10, the FBI increased that amount and offered up to a $1 million reward. Ramirez Jr. was the first new individual added to the Ten Most Wanted Fugitives List to receive the new standard reward amount of up to $1 million, increased from the previous standard reward of up to $250,000.

FBI Seattle credits the FBI’s Legal Attaché office in Mexico City, Mexico, Secretaria de Seguridad y Protección Ciudadana (SSPC), Secretaría de la Defensa Nacional (SEDENA), the Instituto Nacional de Migracion (INM), and the U.S. Attorney’s Office Western District of Washington in coordinating the apprehension of Ramirez Jr.

Charging documents contain only allegations of criminal misconduct, and defendants are presumed to be innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.

To protect the privacy of individuals and to ensure the public’s continued cooperation and incentivization for future assistance, the FBI does not confirm the identity of individuals who assist the FBI by providing information or share whether or not reward money is paid, to whom, and in what amounts. The FBI offers monetary rewards to incentivize the public to come forward with tips and information when they have information that law enforcement is seeking to further an investigation and keep the public safe. The FBI has paid reward money to tipsters who have provided valuable information and continues to do so. Receiving tips from the public remains one of the FBI’s best tools in preventing, detecting, and deterring crime.

The FBI’s Ten Most Wanted Fugitives List is one of the longest running and most recognizable law enforcement initiatives in U.S. history. Since its creation in 1950, the program has relied on national publicity and public participation to assist in the capture of dangerous fugitives. 538 fugitives have appeared on the list, and 501 have been apprehended or located, many due to tips from citizens.

Over the years, 12 Ten Most Wanted Fugitives have been FBI Seattle cases. In addition, eight fugitives on the list were arrested in Washington state with seven fugitives arrested in the Seattle area and one in Spokane. Additional information and wanted posters in English and Spanish can be found at this link: www.fbi.gov/wanted/topten

Updated March 12, 2026 Topic Violent Crime Components Office of the Attorney General Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Press Release Number: 26-248

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