The FBI has charged three men in connection to the high-profile 2013 Southlake murder of Juan Jesus Guerrero-Chapa. Jesus Gerardo Ledezma-Cepeda, Jose Luis Cepeda-Cortes and Jesus Gerardo Ledezma-Campano — all Mexican citizens who are related — have been charged with stalking resulting in death and aiding and abetting.
Guerrero-Chapa, 43, was gunned down May 22, 2013 after an evening of shopping with his wife in the Southlake Town Square. He was shot multiple times while in the passenger seat of his Range Rover. The suspect fled in a white SUV.
The three suspects stalked Juan Jesus Guerrero-Chapa for more than a year to learn his habits and decide how best to kill him.
Guerrero-Chapa's wife, who was unharmed, was loading packages into the vehicle at the time of the murder. The couple had lived in a gated Southlake community for about two years with their three children.
The 16-month investigation led authorities to a Mexican drug cartel for which Guerrero-Chapa had previously served as an attorney. According to documents released in the case, the three suspects stalked Guerrero-Chapa for more than a year to learn his habits and decide how best to kill him.
The defendants also rented an apartment in Grapevine in order to more easily track Guerrero-Chapa's movements. The trio placed a GPS tracker on Guerrero-Chapa's vehicles, including the Range Rover where he was shot and killed.
In addition to the FBI and the Southlake Police Department, the investigation included Homeland Security, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and the Tarrant County District Attorney's Office. Authorities say the investigation remains open, and more arrests are expected.
"I am proud for our collective agencies, and for the community, that we are able to make these arrest announcements today," the FBI's Diego Rodriguez said in a release. "While the investigation of this heinous, public crime remains ongoing, residents can be assured that your safety and protection is of greatest concern to law enforcement."
The victim had ties to a Mexican drug cartel.
