FBI's 'Most Wanted' Murder Files: 19 Fugitives With CA Ties

CALIFORNIA — FBI agents continue to search for 19 people with California connections who are on the federal agency's "Most Wanted" murder list.

All of the suspects are fugitives — some have been on the run for decades, while others are accused in more recent killings.

It's hoped that anyone with information about a suspect(s) will contact the FBI (information is available in the links below). Here are the Most Wanted:

Thayne Alan Smika

In October 1986, Thayne Alan Smika's car was found empty and abandoned in Beverly Hills, and the vehicle was outfitted with a stolen license plate. Smika was nowhere to be found, but authorities were looking for him.

Smika is wanted for the August 1, 1983, killing of Sid Wells, 22, a University of Colorado journalism student. On that day, police officers responded to an incident at an apartment complex in Boulder, Colorado. Wells was found in his apartment, lying on the living room floor, with a gunshot wound to his head.

Smika and Wells were roommates.

The case drew widespread attention in part because Wells' girlfriend at the time was Shauna Redford, the daughter of actor Robert Redford.

Authorities have not given up on finding him. As seen in the FBI drawings below, the once-longhaired Smika may now be clean-shaven, may have a beard or moustache, and may wear glasses. He does not have a valid U.S. passport.

Smika may have lived in Yelapa, Mexico, for many years prior to 2007. Additionally, the FBI says he may be residing in California.

On December 2, 2010, a state arrest warrant was issued for Smika by the County District Court, Boulder County, Colorado, for first-degree murder. Additionally, on December 13, 2010, a federal arrest warrant was issued by the U.S. District Court, District of Colorado, after Smika was charged federally with unlawful flight to avoid prosecution.

Read more about Smika here.

Bob Tang

Bob Tang is sought for his alleged involvement in the slaying of a man in Alameda County on May 14, 2017. It is alleged that Tang killed the victim, dismembered the body, and then fled to his homeland of Cambodia.

The victim was identified as San Francisco Uber driver Piseth Chhay. In June 2017, the remains of Chhay — who was a husband and father of two — were found in a Hayward warehouse where Tang worked.

On November 2, 2017, a felony arrest warrant was issued for Tang in Alameda County after he was charged with murder. On March 26, 2019, a federal arrest warrant was issued in the U.S. District Court, Northern District of California, San Francisco, after Tang was charged with unlawful flight to avoid prosecution.

Tang is a naturalized U.S. citizen and has ties to Phnom Penh, Cambodia. He is known to enjoy hiking.

Read more about Tang here.

Maico Encarnacion Lopez

Maico Encarnacion Lopez, who has ties to communities in California and Mexico, is wanted for his alleged involvement in the September 2011 murder of his partner. On September 12, 2011, the woman’s body was discovered by Arvin Police Department officers during a welfare check at a residence located on the 100 block of Monroe Avenue.

Lopez and the victim were in a relationship and shared two children. Law enforcement officials believe Lopez fled the area with his children after the alleged murder.

The FBI, the Kern County District Attorney’s Office, and the Arvin Police Department are seeking assistance from the public to locate him.

A felony complaint was filed, and an arrest warrant was issued on March 2, 2012, in the Superior Court of California, County of Kern, Bakersfield Judicial District. The Kern County District Attorney’s Office unsealed the warrant for Lopez’s arrest on March 12, 2020. A federal arrest warrant was issued for Lopez in the U.S. District Court, Eastern District of California, Bakersfield, on September 27, 2011, after he was charged with unlawful flight to avoid prosecution.

Read more about Lopez here.

Santino Mario Garcia

Santino Mario Garcia is wanted in Sacramento County for his alleged involvement in the August 26, 2007, shooting death of a man during a game of dominoes. An arrest warrant was issued for Garcia by the California Superior Court, County of Sacramento, after he was charged with murder. A federal arrest warrant was issued by the U.S. District Court, Eastern District of California, Sacramento, on November 27, 2007, after Garcia was charged with unlawful flight to avoid prosecution.

According to the FBI, Garcia is a validated Del Paso Heights Norteno gang member. He has ties to Mexico and may be living there, although he is not known to speak Spanish.

Read more about Garcia.

Manuel Virgen-Galvan

On June 29, 2005, Manuel Virgen-Galvan allegedly shot and killed a 14-year-old boy in Sylmar while the child was in front of his home painting a friend's bicycle.

Virgen-Galvan was charged with murder in Los Angeles County, and a state warrant was issued for his arrest on July 7, 2005. A federal arrest warrant was issued by the U.S. District Court, Central District of California, Los Angeles, on January 26, 2006, after Virgen-Galvan was charged federally with unlawful flight to avoid prosecution.

Virgen-Galvan has ties to Mexico and may be living there.

Read more about Virgen-Galvan.

Efren Calderas-Meza

During the early morning hours of December 8, 1986, Efren Calderas-Meza and a woman had a violent altercation behind the Oasis Tavern located on Plumas Street in Yuba City. During the domestic violence incident, Calderas-Meza allegedly stabbed the woman multiple times.

Emergency responders transported the victim to a hospital, but she died from her injuries.

A no-bail arrest warrant for Calderas-Meza was issued by the California Municipal Court, Sutter County, on February 11, 1987, after he was charged with murder. A federal arrest warrant for unlawful flight to avoid prosecution was issued in U.S. District Court, Eastern District of California, Sacramento, on February 14, 2022.

Calderas-Meza has ties to Fresno, Whatcom and Skagit counties in Washington State, and Zacatecas and Nayarit, Mexico.

Read more about Calderas-Meza here.

Jesus Jose Astorga

Jesus Jose Astorga is wanted for his alleged involvement in the October 15, 1999, stabbing death of a man in Shafter. After the killing, investigators believe Astorga fled to Mexico.

On November 2, 1999, a local arrest warrant was issued for Astorga in the Bakersfield Municipal Court District, County of Kern, after he was charged with murder. On June 20, 2000, a federal arrest warrant was issued in the U.S. District Court, District of California, Bakersfield, after Astorga was charged with unlawful flight to avoid prosecution.

Astorga has ties to the Mexican states of Sonora and Durango.

Read more about Astorga here.

Robert Morales

On July 31, 2000, Robert Morales allegedly shot and killed a man waiting at a Los Angeles bus stop, then four months later, in the same city, on November 9, 2000, he allegedly shot and killed a fellow MS-13 gang member, and fired several shots at the victim's girlfriend.

Morales has a long criminal history, including several assaults, burglary, narcotics transportation, and domestic violence.

On January 22, 2001, the Superior Court of Los Angeles County issued an arrest warrant after Morales was charged with two counts of murder and one count of attempted murder. A federal warrant charging unlawful flight to avoid prosecution was issued on January 17, 2007, by the U.S. District Court, Central District of California.

Morales has ties to El Salvador.

Learn more about Morales here.

Cesar Soltero Herrera

On February 19, 2007, Cesar Soltero Herrera became involved in a physical altercation in North Hollywood. He suffered a nosebleed and left the scene.

A short time later, Herrera allegedly returned to the area armed with a semi-automatic handgun. He fired multiple shots at the person he had fought with earlier, and the victim died.

Herrera was charged with one count of murder and two counts of attempted murder by the Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles, and a state warrant was issued for his arrest on February 21, 2007. A federal arrest warrant was issued by the U.S. District Court, Central District of California, Los Angeles, on April 26, 2007, after Herrera was charged federally with unlawful flight to avoid prosecution.

Learn more about Herrera here.

Jose Guadalupe Lopez Nunez

Jose Guadalupe Lopez Nunez is wanted for allegedly killing his girlfriend and dumping her body in the Sacramento River. An angler discovered her remains near Isleton on September 4, 2017.

On October 16, 2017, the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office obtained a felony no-bail arrest warrant for Lopez Nunez, charging him with murder. A federal arrest warrant was issued on October 24, 2017, in the U.S. District Court, Eastern District of California, Sacramento, after he was charged with unlawful flight to avoid prosecution.

Lopez Nunez may have ties to the Mexican states of Jalisco and Zacatecas.

Read more about Lopez Nunez here.

Joel Emiliano Carranza

On January 1, 1999, Joel Emiliano Carranza and three accomplices allegedly jumped out of a van and attacked two men who were walking along a street in Campbell. The attack stemmed from an altercation a year earlier between one of the victims and one of Carranza's relatives.

During the New Year's Day ambush, one of the victims suffered multiple stab wounds to the chest, one of which penetrated his heart. He died at the scene.

The other victim survived the attack.

A local arrest warrant was issued for Carranza on January 6, 1999, by the Superior Court of the State of California, County of Santa Clara, Juvenile Court, wherein he was charged with murder.

A federal arrest warrant was issued for Carranza on April 14, 1999, in the U.S. District Court, Northern District of California, San Jose, wherein he was charged with unlawful flight to avoid prosecution.

Read more about Emiliano Carranza here.

Cesar Villarreal

On May 21, 2010, Cesar Villarreal was at a store in Los Angeles County with his two young daughters when he got into an argument with two men. During the altercation, Villarreal allegedly brandished a gun, and the men fled the store.

A short time later, Villarreal tracked down the two men. He shot them, wounding one and killing the other. Villarreal's daughters were not with him at the time of the shooting.

He was charged with murder in Los Angeles County, and a state warrant was issued for his arrest on June 11, 2010. A federal arrest warrant was issued by the U.S. District Court, Central District of California, on August 27, 2010, after Villarreal was charged federally with unlawful flight to avoid prosecution.

Villarreal is believed to be living in Mexico and may be with his longtime companion, Obdulia Medina, who is not a fugitive. They may be accompanied by Medina’s daughter, Aileen Cecille Rey Diaz, who is now 24. Villarreal and Medina have a daughter together, Ahtziri Citlalli Villarreal-Medina, who is now 19 and may be with them as well.

Villarreal previously lived in Baldwin Park and may have ties to Oregon.

Read more about Villarreal here.

Baldomero Barrientos Banuelos

On October 14, 1993, Baldomero Barrientos Banuelos allegedly stabbed his wife to death in North Hollywood. He was charged with murder in Los Angeles County, and a state warrant was issued for his arrest on October 18, 1993.

A federal arrest warrant was issued by the U.S. District Court, Central District of California, Los Angeles, on June 10, 1999, after Banuelos was charged federally with unlawful flight to avoid prosecution.

He may be residing in Mexico and may have ties to Florida.

Read more about Banuelos here.

Carlos Felino Hernandez

On July 23, 2006, Carlos Felino Hernandez attended a party in Pico Rivera and allegedly got into a fight with another partygoer.

Hernandez allegedly chased the man into the street and attempted to shoot him. When his weapon misfired, Hernandez turned and shot a different man, killing him instantly.

As he fled the scene, Hernandez allegedly fired several rounds into the crowd that had gathered by the victim.

Hernandez was charged with murder in Los Angeles County, and a state warrant was issued for his arrest on October 12, 2006. A federal arrest warrant was issued by the U.S. District Court, Central District of California, Los Angeles, on December 15, 2010, after Hernandez was charged federally with unlawful flight to avoid prosecution.

He may be residing in Mexico.

Read more about Hernandez here.

Jose Juan Chacon-Morales

Jose Juan Chacon-Morales, a.k.a. "Camello," is wanted for his alleged role in the July 23, 2009, slaying of U.S. Border Patrol Agent Robert W. Rosas, Jr., in the southeastern San Diego County town of Campo. The community is a short distance from the U.S./Mexico International Border.

Chacon-Morales, a Mexican national, is one of five men charged in the killing and the only one who is still on the run. His four co-conspirators were all taken into custody in Mexico, transferred to the U.S., and subsequently pleaded guilty.

Chacon-Morales was allegedly the group boss the night of the killing. Armed, he served as a lookout at the border fence while some of his co-conspirators entered the U.S. and robbed and killed Rosas, according to the FBI.

Chacon-Morales has been charged federally with the following crimes: conspiracy; robbery of personal property of the U.S.; unlawful confinement of a federal officer resulting in death; murder of a federal officer committed in perpetration of a robbery and unlawful confinement; use and carrying of a firearm during the commission of a crime of violence; and aiding and abetting.

A federal arrest warrant was issued by the U.S. District Court, Southern District of California, on May 11, 2010.

Chacon-Morales is believed to be in Mexico and has ties to the Mexican states of Baja California Sur/Baja California Norte, Sonora, and Sinaloa.

Read more about Chacon-Morales here.

Yegizar Karapetyan

Yegizar Karapetyan is wanted for his alleged involvement in the killing of a man on September 2, 2003, in Sacramento. Karapetyan, along with three accomplices, who have since been arrested, allegedly surrounded a man, pistol-whipped him, and stabbed him repeatedly with a large knife and Phillips-head screwdriver. The victim died at the scene.

A local arrest warrant was issued for Karapetyan on September 5, 2003, by the Sacramento Superior and Municipal Court, District Court of California, after he was charged with murder. A federal arrest warrant was issued on September 30, 2003, by the U.S. District Court, Eastern District of California, Sacramento, after Karapetyan was charged with unlawful flight to avoid prosecution.

Karapetyan has ties to Armenia and may have traveled there or to Russia. He should be considered armed and dangerous.

Read more about Karapetyan here.

Leonel Isais Garcia

Leonel Isais Garcia is wanted in connection with the murder of his estranged wife on June 17, 1997, in rural Riverside County. The victim was found shot to death inside her car, which was parked on a roadside.

Garcia may be involved in the illegal drug trade in Mexico. He enjoys gambling, has been described as easygoing, and makes friends easily. He speaks English and Spanish fluently, according to the FBI.

A state arrest warrant was issued in Riverside County on February 10, 2006, after Garcia was charged with murder. Garcia was charged federally with unlawful flight to avoid prosecution, and an arrest warrant was issued by the U.S. District Court, Central District of California, on April 3, 2006.

Read more about Garcia here.

Saul Aguilar, Jr.

Saul Aguilar, Jr. is wanted for his alleged involvement in the slaying of his ex-girlfriend in Los Angeles. In December 1997, the victim was found in her home with a shotgun wound to her upper torso.

A state arrest warrant was issued on January 5, 1998, by the Los Angeles County, California Superior Court, after Aguilar was charged with murder. Aguilar was charged with unlawful flight to avoid prosecution, and a federal arrest warrant was issued by the U.S. District Court, Central District of California, on June 23, 1998.

At the time of the slaying, Aguilar was a heavy methamphetamine user. He has ties to Mexicali, Mexico, and should be considered armed and dangerous.

Read more about Aguilar here.

Juan Laureano-Arvizu

Juan Laureano-Arvizu, aka "Chaquetin," is sought in San Diego for a series of violent crimes, according to the FBI. He was an alleged member of a drug cartel enforcement crew known as Los Palillos, which originally operated under the Arellano Felix Organization.

After AFO leadership was arrested, members of Los Palillos allegedly fled to the U.S. and continued to operate as an independent gang, with an established drug distribution headquartered in San Diego County.

This gang was suspected of kidnapping, torturing, and murdering nine people in San Diego County. Between 2004-2007, Laureano-Arvizu allegedly participated in the abductions and murders.

On August 26, 2009, an arrest warrant was issued for Laureano-Arvizu in San Diego County. He was charged with the following crimes: murder; attempted murder of a police officer; kidnapping for ransom; robbery; attempted kidnapping; shooting at an inhabited occupied structure; attempted robbery; and conspiracy to commit kidnapping for ransom.

A federal arrest warrant was issued on December 3, 2014, by the U.S. District Court, Southern District of California, after Laureano-Arvizu was charged with unlawful flight to avoid prosecution.

Read more about Laureano-Arvizu here.