FBI Captures Top 10 Most Wanted Fugitive Sought in 2016 Charlotte Murder

The FBI announced Saturday that it has arrested Alejandro Rosales Castillo, a longtime fugitive wanted in connection with the 2016 murder of a Charlotte, North Carolina woman, and listed among the Bureau’s Ten Most Wanted Fugitives since 2017, as reported by Fox News.

FBI Director Kash Patel said Castillo was taken into custody on  Friday in Mexico. Castillo had been sought for nearly nine years in the killing of his former co-worker, 23-year-old Sandy Ly Le, who was reported missing after meeting him in Charlotte.

FBI announced that it arrested Alejandro Rosales Castillo in Mexico on Friday. He’s been a Ten Most Wanted Fugitive since 2017.

Castillo is wanted in connection to the heinous m*rder of co-worker “Sandy” Ly Le in Charlotte, North Carolina in 2016.https://t.co/XvkWQlI64x pic.twitter.com/pDAvn1ZxqF

— The Last Show- Karen Lee (@thelastshow) January 18, 2026

“Alejandro Castillo is the fifth FBI Ten Most Wanted fugitive captured since last year, more than the entire previous four years combined. That reflects leadership, not luck,” Patel said in a statement.

“When law enforcement is given clear backing and the freedom to act, results follow. The work of the FBI Charlotte field office, our state and local partners, and Mexican authorities was exceptional, and this arrest finally opens the door to long-overdue justice for Sandy Ly Le’s family.”

BREAKING: Another FBI Ten Most Wanted Fugitive has been captured.

Alejandro Rosales Castillo – a Ten Most Wanted Fugitive since 2017 – was arrested in Mexico on Friday. He has been wanted on charges for the 2016 murder of his former coworker, 23 year old “Sandy” Ly Le in… pic.twitter.com/rfqn4HGRad

— FBI Director Kash Patel (@FBIDirectorKash) January 17, 2026

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According to the FBI, Castillo was captured in Pachuca, Hidalgo, Mexico. He remains detained there and is awaiting extradition to North Carolina, the FBI Charlotte field office said in a press release.

Le disappeared in 2016 after agreeing to meet Castillo at a gas station. Authorities later located her vehicle in Phoenix. Investigators have said Castillo allegedly owed Le $1,000 at the time of her disappearance.

Rep. Pat Harrington, R-N.C., praised the arrest and credited law enforcement agencies for continuing to pursue the case.

“Nearly nine years after a Charlotte murder, the man responsible is finally in custody,” Harrington wrote on X.

“Grateful for the persistence of [FBI Charlotte], CMPD, and our federal partners who never stopped working to bring justice home to North Carolina.”

Nearly nine years after a Charlotte murder, the man responsible is finally in custody.

Grateful for the persistence of @FBICharlotte, CMPD, and our federal partners who never stopped working to bring justice home to North Carolina. https://t.co/LERmRhV9Ky

— Congressman Pat Harrigan (@RepPatHarrigan) January 17, 2026

FBI Charlotte Special Agent in Charge James C. Barnacle Jr. said investigators never abandoned the case despite Castillo living freely for years outside the United States.

“The FBI and our partners at the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department have worked tirelessly to find and arrest Alex Castillo,” Barnacle said.

“For more than nine years, he lived a normal life, likely believing he would never be captured, but our experienced investigators never gave up the hunt for justice. Sadly, Sandy’s family began another new year without her. We hope knowing her accused killer is in custody will provide some level of solace now.”

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Chief of Police Estella D. Patterson also emphasized the importance of cooperation between agencies.

“This joint effort sends a clear message that those who commit violent crimes cannot outrun justice,” Patterson said.

“Bringing this fugitive to justice makes Charlotte and other communities safer, and while nothing can heal the loss Sandy’s family has endured, we hope this step brings them some peace.”

Russ Ferguson, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina, said the arrest reinforces that violent offenders will be held accountable.

“Those who engage in violence will not get away with it — no matter how hard they try,” Ferguson said.

Castillo was added to the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list in October 2017. Two other suspects were charged in Le’s murder that year, according to WJZY.

Ahmia Feaster, initially listed as missing, later turned herself in to authorities in 2017 and was extradited from Mexico to North Carolina, WTXF-TV reported.

Feaster faced several charges, including accessory charges related to the murder.

A third individual, Felipe Ulloa, was charged with accessory after the fact of murder in March 2017, WTXF-TV reported.

The case remains active as Castillo awaits extradition proceedings. Fox News Digital reported it reached out to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department and the Department of Justice for comment.

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