Massachusetts authorities have arrested Ecuadoran criminal fugitive wanted for murder

BOSTON — Officers with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations Boston removed an Ecuadoran criminal fugitive wanted for murder in Ecuador.

According to ICE Boston, 25-year-old Darwin Murillo-Morocho, a citizen of Ecuador, entered the United States without being inspected by an immigration officer on an unknown date and at an unknown location. In January 2018, the Multi-Competent Criminal Judicial Unit in the Canton of Yantazza Province, in Ecuador, issued a criminal arrest warrant for Murillo-Morocho for the charge of crime of murder. He was removed and turned over to Ecuadoran authorities by ERO Boston officers without incident, Jan. 5.

In July 2020 Murillo-Morocho was arrested by police for driving while intoxicated and reckless driving in New York state and was subsequently encountered as part of an immigration enforcement action by ERO Newark in March 2021. Murillo was transferred from ERO Newark custody to ERO Boston custody in June 2021.

“Thanks to the dedication of ICE law enforcement professionals, this dangerous criminal fugitive has now been removed from the United States to face justice for his alleged crimes in Ecuador,” said ERO Boston Field Office Director Todd Lyons. “ICE remains committed to removing criminal fugitives like Murillo-Morocho, who attempt to evade prosecution for their actions.”

In fiscal year (FY) 2022, ERO arrested 46,396 noncitizens with criminal histories; this group had 198,498 associated charges and convictions. These included 21,531 assault offenses; 8,164 sex and sexual assault offenses; 5,554 weapons offenses; 1,501 homicide-related offenses; and 1,114 kidnapping offenses.