Mexico turns over suspect in deputy’s slaying

A man suspected of killing a Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputy during a 2002 traffic stop was turned over by Mexican authorities Tuesday to face murder charges in Los Angeles.

Jorge “Armando” Arroyo Garcia was arrested 11 months ago by Mexican police in the fatal shooting of Deputy David March but had fought extradition. A final court appeal was denied last month.

Guarded by a Mexican federal police SWAT team and U.S. marshals, Garcia was flown early Tuesday from Mexico City to Tijuana, where he was turned over to U.S. authorities shortly before 5:30 a.m. at the San Ysidro border crossing.

He was later booked at the Orange County Jail, where he will be housed for the duration of his trial.

During a somber news conference, officials including Los Angeles County Dist. Atty. Steve Cooley and Sheriff Lee Baca praised U.S. and Mexican law enforcement authorities for their four years of resolve in securing Garcia’s return. But after working so long to get the suspect back on U.S. soil, the depth -- and emotion -- of the deputy’s loss appeared to hit home, leaving many in the crowd with tears in their eyes.

“I felt it would be a day of celebration; instead it’s a day of extreme sorrow,” said Teri March, the deputy’s widow.

Added John March, the deputy’s father: “Today is a day when it all comes crashing down ... all the memories.”

Baca said the suspect is being housed in Orange County to avoid allegations of mistreatment by Los Angeles law enforcement.

The sheriff held up the handcuffs used by David March, saying they would be placed on the suspect when he is transported between his cell and court.

Garcia, a suspected gang member and illegal immigrant, is accused of fatally shooting the 33-year-old deputy April 29, 2002, during a traffic stop in Irwindale. He reportedly fled to Mexico after being identified as a suspect.

Garcia is among a wave of high-profile suspects who have been returned to face U.S. prosecution since Mexico’s Supreme Court in 2005 overturned a four-year ban on the extradition of Mexicans facing life in prison.

The decision opened the door for U.S. authorities to extract homicide suspects, who had enjoyed a haven under an earlier Mexican court ruling that declared life in prison a cruel and unusual punishment. To comply with Mexican law, which forbids the death penalty, U.S. prosecutors must agree to seek life-in-prison penalties during extradition negotiations.

Cooley said last year that, in exchange for the suspect’s release by Mexico to stand trial in California, he would not seek the death penalty against Garcia. If convicted, the suspect would face a maximum sentence of life without the possibility of parole.

A task force of Mexican authorities and the U.S. Marshals Service had been looking for Garcia in Mexico, where he moved frequently and briefly held down jobs at a grocery store and as a ranch hand. He was arrested Feb. 23, 2006, as he walked out of an uncle’s house in Tonala, Jalisco.

Cooley said authorities have identified as many 200 murder suspects who have fled to Mexico from Los Angeles County to avoid prosecution.

Last year, a record 63 people were extradited from Mexico to the United States, said U.S. Ambassador Tony Garza. They faced a variety of allegations, mostly involving drug trafficking and 11 involving murder.

Mexican President Felipe Calderon, who took office Dec. 1, appears willing to continue the extradition practices begun by former President Vicente Fox, Garza said.

“With this very important extradition, it is clear that under the Calderon administration, the governments of Mexico and the U.S. will continue our unprecedented law enforcement cooperation,” Garza said.

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sam.enriquez@latimes.com

andrew.blankstein@latimes.com

Enriquez reported from Mexico City and Blankstein from Los Angeles. Cecilia Sanchez of The Times’ Mexico City bureau contributed to this report.