Diplomatic Security Captures “Butcher of South Beach” in Belize

The Bureau of Diplomatic Security’s investigative efforts lead to the arrest today of a Miami Beach Police Department “Top Ten Fugitive” in Belize City, Belize.

     Cuban-born fugitive Reinaldo Silvestre is wanted on charges of organized fraud, aggravated battery, practicing medicine without a license, and grand theft. These charges stem from a series of surgeries he performed without a license that resulted in permanent disfigurement of the victims. He failed to appear in court and a warrant for his arrest was issued in September 1999.  

      The Bureau of Diplomatic Security was contacted by the Miami Beach Police Department when they received an anonymous tip that Silvestre was teaching and practicing medicine in Belize City. The Diplomatic Security special agent assigned to the U.S. Embassy in Belize coordinated with the Belize police to locate Silvestre. Yesterday, a Belizean magistrate signed an arrest order and the Belize Police arrested him. Silvestre will remain in Belize Police custody until he is formally extradited to the United States.

      “The cooperation between our Diplomatic Security special agents assigned to the U.S. Embassy in Belize, the Belize Police and the Miami Beach Police Department resulted in the apprehension of another fugitive attempting to escape justice in the United States,” said Joe Morton, Director of the Diplomatic Security Service.

     Diplomatic Security is the law enforcement and security arm of the U.S. Department of State. Diplomatic Security special agents assigned to U.S. diplomatic missions overseas work with foreign police and security services overseas to support U.S. law enforcement initiatives and investigations