Caught: Fugitive accused of killing Wake deputy arrested by Mexican authorities

Alder Alfonso Marin Sotelo has been taken into custody by Mexican authorities in the state of Guerrero, the FBI announced Thursday.

He had led authorities on a four-day, multi-state manhunt after escaping from the Piedmont Regional Jail in Virginia.

Marin Sotelo was caught on camera climbing the fence of the jail around 1:40 a.m. Sunday and was seen nearly four hours later leaving the jail parking lot in a a 2003 red or burgundy Ford Mustang with a 30-day North Carolina temporary tag, according to the FBI.

Guerrero, on the southern coast of Mexico, is at least 40 hours from Raleigh. The FBI is still trying to determine all of Marin Sotelo’s movements since his escape from jail. Authorities have not found the getaway car.

Wake Sheriff Willie Rowe said late Thursday that members of the Sheriff’s Office can “breathe easier tonight” after Marin Sotelo’s capture.

“We know the great community can share this sense of relief with us,” Rowe said in a statement. “The escape and search opened old wounds for our Office and Deputy Ned Byrd’s family. We have been in contact with his family and are offering support in any way we can.”

Sister and brother face charges

Marin Sotelo’s sister, Adriana Marin-Sotelo has been accused of providing her brother with the car.

According to federal court documents obtained by The News & Observer, she paid someone $2,500 to leave the car in the jail parking lot for Alder to use.

She has since been arrested and will appear in federal court in Greensboro on Friday afternoon.

In August, Marin Sotelo and his brother Arturo Marin Sotelo were charged with murder in the death of Wake County Sheriff’s. Deputy Ned Byrd.

Byrd, a 13-year veteran of the department, was shot multiple times in a rural area near a gas station on Auburn Knightdale and Battle Bridge roads.

After leading authorities on a chase for multiple days, both brothers were arrested.

Soon after, Alder pleaded guilty to federal gun charges, for which he was being held in the Piedmont Regional Jail in Virginia.

After his escape, the FBI and U.S. Marshals Service offered a $70,000 reward for information leading to his capture and conviction.

The FBI has not said when or if Marin Sotelo will be extradited to the. United States. Rowe, in his statement, said state and federal authorities will begin the process of working with the Mexican government to do so.

This is a breaking news story and will be updated.

This story was originally published May 4, 2023 at 2:41 PM with the headline "Caught: Fugitive accused of killing Wake deputy arrested by Mexican authorities."