One of the 15 most wanted fugitives by the U.S. Marshals Service, John Panaligan, was arrested in Tepic, Nayarit. The apprehension took place by Criminal Investigation Agents of the Attorney General's Office of Nayarit on October 21 and he was subsequently handed over to immigration authorities to be deported to the United States on Tuesday, October 22, to face legal proceedings against him.
Panaligan, 57 years old, was wanted for the alleged murder of attorney Victor Jigar Patel, who was found strangled in his office in Northbrook, Illinois, on December 7, 2016. At the time of his death, Patel, 36 years old, was representing clients who had sued Panaligan in civil court. According to the U.S. Marshals Service, Panaligan allegedly contacted Patel to arrange a meeting using an alias, appeared disguised in nearby security cameras, and then killed the victim in his office.
Two days after the murder, Panaligan was detained at the Canadian border for alleged smuggling of a firearm to Canada, but he was eventually allowed to return to the United States, where he was interrogated by Northbrook police regarding Patel's death. During the investigation, authorities executed multiple search warrants on Panaligan's belongings and properties, finding evidence that pointed to him as the prime suspect in the murder.
Panaligan is believed to have fled to Mexico before he could be arrested, and a warrant for his detention for first-degree murder was issued on February 8, 2017.
