Sheriff: Border Patrol agent suspected of killing 4 women

HOUSTON » A U.S. Border Patrol agent suspected of killing four women was arrested early Saturday after a fifth woman who had been abducted managed to escape from him and notify authorities, law enforcement officials said, describing the agent as a “serial killer.”

Juan David Ortiz, 35, an intel supervisor for the Border Patrol, fled from state troopers and was found hiding in a truck in a hotel parking lot in Laredo around 2 a.m. Saturday, Webb County Sheriff Martin Cuellar said at a news conference in the border city about 145 miles southwest of San Antonio.

Cuellar said investigators have “very strong evidence” that Ortiz is responsible for the deaths of the four women, who are believed to have worked as prostitutes.

“We do consider this to be a serial killer,” said Webb County District Attorney Isidro Alaniz.

In a statement, Andrew Meehan, assistant commissioner for public affairs for U.S. Customs and Border Protection, said his agency’s Office of Professional Responsibility, the U.S. Border Patrol and the Department of Homeland Security Office of the Inspector General are fully cooperating with all investigators.

“Our sincerest condolences go out to the victims’ family and friends. While it is CBP policy to not comment on the details of an ongoing investigation, criminal action by our employees is not, and will not be tolerated,” Meehan said.

He referred questions about the investigation to authorities in Webb County and to the Texas Department of Public Safety, whose Texas Rangers also are investigating.

A Texas Department of Public Safety sergeant didn’t respond to several messages seeking comment Saturday.

Authorities didn’t disclose the victims’ names or nationalities.

“The manner in which they were killed is similar in all the cases from the evidence,” Alaniz said.

But both Alaniz and Cuellar declined to discuss the evidence or say how the women were killed.

Alaniz said investigators are trying to determine a motive for the killings. He said all of the women worked as prostitutes.

Cuellar said investigators believe Ortiz acted alone.

Alaniz said his office plans to charge Ortiz with four counts of murder and one count of aggravated kidnapping.

DANNY ZARAGOZA — THE LAREDO MORNING TIMES VIA AP Law enforcement officers gather near the scene where the body of a woman was found north of Laredo, Texas.