Executive Summary
- Neftali Esquilin-Lebron, 24, was arrested in Cleveland by a U.S. Marshals task force.
- The suspect is wanted for a fatal shooting that occurred in Puerto Rico in July 2024.
- Authorities tracked the fugitive to a business on East 55th Street in coordination with Puerto Rico police.
A 24-year-old fugitive wanted in connection with a fatal shooting in Puerto Rico was taken into custody in Cleveland on Tuesday following an operation by a U.S. Marshals task force. Neftali Esquilin-Lebron was arrested at a business located in the 2700 block of East 55th Street, according to federal authorities.
Investigators allege that Esquilin-Lebron was responsible for shooting and killing a man on July 21, 2024, in front of a restaurant in Puerto Rico. Working in coordination with the Puerto Rico Police Bureau, the U.S. Marshals tracked the suspect to Northeast Ohio.
In a statement released following the arrest, U.S. Marshals officials affirmed their dedication to removing dangerous individuals from the streets. "Violent fugitives will never be welcome to hide out in our communities in northern Ohio," the agency stated, adding that the task force will continue to pursue suspects to bring justice to victims.
Federal Fugitive Enforcement
This arrest underscores the operational scope of the U.S. Marshals Service in coordinating across jurisdictions to locate suspects fleeing from U.S. territories to the mainland. By leveraging resources between the Puerto Rico Police Bureau and regional fugitive task forces, law enforcement agencies are able to close the distance gaps often exploited by individuals seeking to evade prosecution. It is important to note that all individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
