Notorious Fugitive John Panaligan Caught in Mexico After Seven-Year Manhunt
John Panaligan, one of the U.S. Marshals' 15 most wanted fugitives, was arrested in Mexico after nearly seven years on the run. Panaligan, 57, is accused of murdering attorney Victor Jigar Patel in 2016. He was extradited to Illinois to face charges, marking a major victory for law enforcement.
In a dramatic turn of events that has shocked both sides of the border, John Panaligan, one of the U.S. Marshals Service’s 15 most wanted fugitives, was finally captured in Mexico this week. Panaligan, 57, was arrested in Tepic, Nayarit on October 21, following a tip-off to local authorities. The fugitive, who had been on the run for almost seven years, is accused of the cold-blooded murder of attorney Victor Jigar Patel in 2016. His capture closes a chapter in a high-profile manhunt that spanned multiple countries and garnered a $25,000 reward for information leading to his arrest.
The arrest took place in Tepic, a city nestled in the Pacific coast state of Nayarit. Mexican authorities, after identifying the wanted criminal via an international alert, promptly handed him over to U.S. Marshals for deportation. Panaligan was transferred back to Illinois on October 22, where he now awaits trial for first-degree murder charges. The U.S. Marshals Service and Mexican officials have been hailed for their coordinated efforts in bringing the fugitive to justice.
