Sheriff: Border Patrol agent suspected of killing 4 women

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

Juan David Ortiz, 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 early 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 he 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 cooperating with investigators.

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

Authorities did not disclose the victims’ names or nationalities.

Alaniz said investigators are still trying to determine a motive for the killings attributed to Ortiz.

Cuellar said investigators believe Ortiz acted alone.