Alexis Flores (born July 18, 1975) is a Honduran fugitive wanted for the kidnapping, rape, and murder of five-year-old Iriana DeJesus in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US, in 2000. Flores is the 487th fugitive to be placed on the FBI's Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list.[1]
| Alexis Flores | |
|---|---|
 Photograph taken in 2005 | |
| FBI Ten Most Wanted Fugitive | |
| Charges | |
| Reward | $250,000 |
| Alias | Carlos Flores, Mario Flores, Mario Roberto Flores, Mario F. Roberto, Alex Contreras, Alesis Contreras, Carlos Contreras |
| Description | |
| Born | July 18, 1975 Honduras |
| Gender | Male |
| Height | 5 ft 4 in (163 cm) |
| Weight | around 140 lb (64 kg; 10 st) |
| Occupation | Handyman |
| Status | |
| Added | June 2, 2007 |
| Number | 487 |
| Currently a Top Ten Fugitive | |
Background
editFlores was born in Honduras in 1975, although he has used dates of birth ranging from 1975 to 1982.[1] Flores has a large surgical scar on his neck as a result of an injury sustained in Hurricane Mitch in Honduras in 1998.[2]
Kidnapping and murder charges
editIn summer 2000, a homeless drifter known as "Carlos" (or "Carlo") had been given shelter, clothing, and work as a handyman by Hunting Park, Philadelphia, resident Jorge Contreras.[3][4] On August 3, five days after being reported missing, the body of five-year-old Iriana DeJesus was found in the basement of an empty apartment building where "Carlos" is believed to have stayed.[1] She had been sexually assaulted, strangled, and wrapped in a trash bag. A T-shirt bearing a distinct political logo was found near Iriana's body with her blood on it. When police questioned Contreras about the shirt, he recognized it as one of the articles of clothing he had lent to "Carlos,"[3] who had not been seen in the area since the girl was reported missing.[1] "Carlos" then became wanted for questioning, and a sketch of him was profiled on America's Most Wanted.[3]
Arrests and deportation
editFlores was arrested for shoplifting in Arizona in 2002.[3] Two years later, police came to Flores' residence in response to a noise complaint. After giving fraudulent identity documents to police, Flores was arrested for possession of a forgery device, a felony in Arizona. When he was arrested, Flores had a welcoming demeanor, was friendly, and cooperated with the police during questioning. Upon entering his apartment for further investigation, officers noticed pornography spread out across the floors. Flores told immigration officials that he had lived in Schaumburg, Illinois, prior to living in Phoenix. He was incarcerated for 60 days and deported to Honduras after his release in June 2005.[1]
DNA match and addition to FBI Ten Most Wanted Fugitives
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In 2006, Flores' DNA sample taken in Arizona was added to the Combined DNA Index System. In March 2007, his DNA sample positively matched DNA found at the crime scene in Philadelphia. It has been determined that "Carlos" and Flores are the same person.[1]
On March 22, 2007, a local arrest warrant was issued in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and Flores was charged with murder and various other felonies. On the same date, a federal arrest warrant for Flores was issued in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, and he was charged with unlawful flight to avoid prosecution.[5]
Flores was added to the FBI's Top Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list on June 2, 2007. He replaced Shauntay Henderson on the list.[6] There is a reward of up to $250,000 for information leading directly to Flores' capture offered by the FBI.[7] He is also the subject of an Interpol Red Notice.[8] He is considered armed and extremely dangerous. Flores is fluent in Spanish and English,[8] and is believed to be either in his native Honduras or to have returned to the United States.[1][9]
In March 2024, the FBI released a new age-progression image of Flores, showing what he may look like in his early/mid-40s.[7][10][11]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c d e f g "New Top Ten Fugitive: Suspect in 2000 Philadelphia Murder". Federal Bureau of Investigation. June 2, 2007. Retrieved November 6, 2010.
- ^ "Seeking Information - Carlo Doe". Federal Bureau of Investigation. 2006. Archived from the original on December 27, 2006. Retrieved September 7, 2010.
- ^ a b c d "Fugitives - Alexis Flores". America's Most Wanted. March 12, 2010. Archived from the original on August 14, 2009. Retrieved September 7, 2010.
- ^ "Police have name in seven-year-old killing of child" (Fee required). The Philadelphia Inquirer. March 24, 2007. Retrieved September 7, 2010.
- ^ "Crime Alert—Alexis Flores". Federal Bureau of Investigation. 2007. Archived from the original on May 8, 2007. Retrieved September 7, 2010.
- ^ "Murder Suspect Added to FBI's 'Most Wanted' List". Fox News. June 3, 2007. Archived from the original on October 25, 2012. Retrieved September 7, 2010.
- ^ a b "ALEXIS FLORES". Federal Bureau of Investigation. Retrieved May 26, 2023.
- ^ a b "Alexis Flores". Interpol. Retrieved March 4, 2019.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "FBI adds child murder suspect to Top 10 list". CNN. Retrieved June 15, 2008.
- ^ "FBI Most Wanted: Man sought in 2000s killing of Philadelphia 5-year-old". FOX 29 Philadelphia. March 14, 2024. Retrieved September 22, 2024.
- ^ "FBI offers $250,000 reward for 'Top 10' fugitive". Delco Times. March 14, 2024. Retrieved September 22, 2024.