An illegal migrant accused of murder has finally been brought to justice after years on the run. Humberto Rodriguez Martinez, 39, was extradited from Mexico for the brutal stabbing death of his ex-girlfriend’s new boyfriend nearly a decade ago in Anaheim.
The tragic incident took place back in October 2017 when Martinez allegedly visited his ex-girlfriend’s apartment to help watch their children. Later that night, the victim, Reyes, was chased and fatally stabbed nearby. Martinez’s accomplice, who pleaded guilty to second-degree murder, was sentenced to 15 years to life.
Martinez, a Mexican national, has pleaded not guilty and is currently being held without bail by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement as his case progresses. The Anaheim Police Chief, Manuel Cid, expressed his commitment to seeking justice for the victim’s family, stating, “This arrest does not undo the pain the victim’s family has endured, but it reinforces our commitment and promise to our community: we will never stop working until justice is served.”
Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer also emphasized the relentless pursuit of justice, saying, “The long arm of Orange County law enforcement reaches to every corner of the earth to ensure the full weight of the law is felt by those who commit the most heinous acts of violence against other human beings.”
After years of evading capture, Martinez was finally located and arrested by Mexican officials in a joint operation with the U.S. Marshals Service. He was subsequently extradited in coordination with the U.S. Department of Justice in 2024. Anaheim police took him into custody upon his arrival at Los Angeles International Airport.
The extradition of Martinez serves as a reminder that justice knows no boundaries and that law enforcement agencies will stop at nothing to ensure that perpetrators of violent crimes are held accountable for their actions.
