San Antonio, TX - Joel Francisco, alleged murder suspect, was arrested today by members of the U.S. Marshals Service Lone Star Fugitive Task Force (LSFTF) in New Braunfels, TX.
Francisco, 41, was wanted by the Providence Police Department (PPD) in Rhode Island after a warrant was issued for his arrest earlier this month. Francisco allegedly stabbed and killed a man at a bar in the 200 block of Atwells Avenue and fled the scene before police arrived. PPD contacted the Rhode Island Violent Fugitive Task Force (RIVFTF), led by the U.S. Marshals Service and Rhode Island State Police, to assist in locating and apprehending Francisco. PPD remained active in the fugitive investigation as part of the RIVFTF. The task force determined that Francisco fled from Rhode Island to Texas.
This afternoon, members of the LSFTF located Francisco at a motel in the 1200 block of North Interstate 35 in New Braunfels and arrested him without incident. Christopher Rivera, 32, was also arrested at the scene for an outstanding federal warrant from Greenville, NC. Both are currently being held in GEO Group Detention Facility awaiting extradition.
The U.S. Marshals Service District of Massachusetts, the U.S. Marshals Service District of Connecticut, the U.S. Attorney’s Office of Rhode Island, the U.S. Marshals Service Capital Area Regional Fugitive Task Force and the U.S. Marshals Service Florida Regional Task Force assisted in the investigation.
“All agencies involved in this investigation worked collectively and efficiently to locate and arrest Francisco," said U.S. Marshal Susan Pamerleau. “In this case, two fugitives fled to avoid prosecution, but are no longer free to cause hurt or harm to society."
Members of the Lone Star Fugitive Task Force:
* New Braunfels Police Department
* San Antonio Police Department
* Bexar County Sheriff’s Office
* Comal County Sheriff’s Office
* Bexar County District Attorney’s Office
* Texas Office of the Attorney General
* Texas Department of Public Safety
* Texas Department of Criminal Justice - Office of the Inspector General
* Immigration & Customs Enforcement - Office of Detention & Removal
* U.S. Marshals Service
