Fresno police arrest suspects in 2004 Fort Smith slaying

FORT SMITH — Two brothers who are suspects in a Fort Smith murder dating back to 2004 were apprehended in Fresno, Calif., this week.

The Fort Smith Police Department was notified by the FBI on Wednesday that Kenny and Keimty Xayakesone had been arrested by authorities in Fresno on Tuesday, according to a news release.

The pair fled the Fort Smith area when they learned that police department investigators were looking at them as suspects in the July 4, 2004, shooting death of Adelio Romero, 18, according to authorities. They remained at large for 16 years with active warrants for first-degree murder in Romero’s death and were featured on the “America’s Most Wanted” television show.

“We would like to thank authorities in Fresno, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and all the FSPD, past and present, who worked tirelessly on this case to achieve justice for Mr. Romero and his family,” Fort Smith Police Department spokesman Aric Mitchell said in the release.

Speaking to reporters Thursday, Jason Thompson, deputy chief over the Fort Smith Police Department’s non-uniformed bureau, said Romero’s family, who are still in the area, have contacted the department and are aware of the Xayakesones’ arrests. The department is working on getting the brothers extradited to Arkansas, although Thompson does not know when this will happen.

“We’re still working on that, but once they get back, we’ll meet with the [Sebastian County] prosecutor’s office and start from there with our next steps,” Thompson said.