FBI

Villarreal-Hernandez added to Most Wanted list

The United States Department of State’s Transnational Organized Crime Rewards Program is offering a reward of up to $1 million for information leading directly to the arrest of Jose Rodolfo Villarreal-Hernandez.

Villarreal-Hernandez recently was added to the agency’s list of 10 most wanted fugitives.

Known as “El Gato,” Villarreal-Hernandez is wanted for his alleged involvement in the interstate stalking and conspiracy to commit murder-for-hire of a 43-year-old male on May 22, 2013, in Southlake, Texas.

A federal arrest warrant for these charges was issued June 20, 2018.

Villarreal-Hernandez allegedly holds an active leadership position in the Beltran Leyva drug-trafficking organization within the region of San Pedro Garza Garcia, Nuevo Leon, Mexico

Villarreal-Hernandez is described as 5-feet 4-inches tall with black hair and brown eyes and about 165 pounds.

Villarreal-Hernandez is considered armed and extremely dangerous by federal authorities.

A media release from the FBI outlined the incident in which Villarreal-Hernandez is charged as follows:

On May 22, 2013, the 43-year-old male and his wife were preparing to depart a shopping center in Southlake, Texas.

A white Toyota Sequoia approached the couple’s Range Rover as the wife was loading her purchases into the back of the vehicle.

The male was sitting in the passenger’s seat of the vehicle.

The shooter exited the Toyota as the driver pulled in behind the couple’s vehicle. The shooter approached the Range Rover from the passenger side and shot the male multiple times. The shooter returned to the Toyota and fled the scene.

The 43-year-old male was pronounced dead at a local hospital.

The investigation, led by the field office in Dallas, revealed the victim was stalked by a group of people beginning in March 2011.

The investigation further determined the same group allegedly committed the murder-for-hire at the direction of Villarreal-Hernandez.

Investigators believe Villarreal-Hernandez had a personal grudge against the male who was shot.

Villarreal-Hernandez has ties to or may visit Monterrey, Mexico and Mexico City, Mexico.

Anyone who has information concerning Villarreal-Hernandez may call 1-800-CALL-FBI, contact a local FBI office or the nearest American embassy or consulate.