FBI 'Most Wanted' caught in Nicaragua

A man who has been reported to have lived in Inwood as well as Baldwin and Central Islip and was named to the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list on March 26 was arrested by Nicaraguan police after being detained near the U.S. Embassy in Managua a day later, and turned over to the FBI.

            Juan Elias Garcia, a reputed to be a member of the Mara Salvatrucha street gang — MS-13, was sought for the alleged execution-style murder of Vanessa Argueta, 19, and her 2-year-old son in Central Islip on Feb. 4, 2010.

            Garcia had a romantic relationship with Argueta, who had ties to the 18th Street gang and the Latin Kings, two rival gangs, FBI officials said. After Argueta and Garcia had a falling out, rival gang members threatened Garcia, who was 17 at the time. After he told MS-13 members he had been threatened they decided to kill Argueta.

            “Garcia’s callous disregard for human like resulted in the senseless murder of a young mother and her helpless two-year-old son,” said George Venizelos, assistant director of the FBI’s New York field office. “His appointment to the FBI’s Top Ten list illustrates not only the seriousness of his crimes but our commitment to seeking justice for his victims.”