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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 |
