Perps Go South of the Border

Mexico is a country decorated with sandy beaches,cruel and unusual punishment. They do, however, favor
beautiful bronze-colored bikini clad women, andrehabilitation for the criminal. Unless American
Tequilas under the sun. It is also a country known as aauthorities are willing to reduce the potential sentence
safe haven for individuals accused of very seriousfor a perpetrator of a crime, Mexican authorities are
crimes. The resort towns of Cancun and Puertoreluctant to extradite a suspect.
Vallarta are two points of preferred interest for all2. Mexico is a country whose authorities are perceived
criminals alike.to be anarchistic. Political and police corruption are
History has shown that many criminals choose Mexicowidespread such that a fugitive with deep pockets
as a country where they feel they can avoid the longcan pass a few dollars to an underpaid Mexican police
arm of American law. Max Factor heir, Andrew Luster,officer to buy his way out of an arrest.
was living in Puerto Vallarta at the time of his arrest byMexico has a poor track record of sending fugitives
reality TV host and bounty hunter, Duane "The Dog"back north of the Rio Grande river. For Americans
Chapman.who make a "run for the Bell," it could be years for U.S.
After murdering his wife and three children in 2001,authorities to get them back if they have a good
Christian Longo sought out Cancun as his private placelawyer in Mexico unless Mexico sees no reason to
to vacate. At the time of his arrest, Longo was living inkeep a fugitive.
a grass shack and dating a new woman when FBIFor Mexican citizens who flee to their own country, it is
agents with the help of the Mexican federales cameeven harder for U.S. officials to bring them in to face
knocking on his door to apprehend him.justice. The reason for this trend is that many Mexican
More recently in the news, Byron Keith Perkins, anationals have families to whom they can turn when
federal prisoner serving time for drug distribution andseeking asylum from the American legal system.
firearms charges, was re-arrested in Puerto Vallarta,Americans on the other hand are considered outsiders
Mexico after being released from federal prison backwith no roots in Mexico. Unless the American is rich
in January 2006 so that he could donate a kidney toand can support himself in this developing country that
his son. Sadly, he never showed up for theprovides very few jobs, he has a greater chance of
compatibility tests needed prior to a kidney donationbeing caught by Mexican law enforcement to face
but instead fled the country leaving his son to findextradition to the U.S.
another donor.If the U.S. wants really bad a fugitive living in Mexico,
Since the early days of the United States, countlessAmerican authorities will just travel there and arrest
murderers, drug dealers, horse thieves, rapists, and taxhim themselves. In 1990, this is what happened when
evaders have looked to Mexico as their place ofthe U.S. paid Mexican nationals to kidnap Humberto
preference.Alvarez-Machain, a physician from Guadalajara, who
So what is it about Mexico? There are so manywas charged by the U.S. of being present when DEA
places in the U.S. for culprits to hide, why do theyagent Enrique Camarena was handcuffed, tortured,
choose to make their run south of the border? Is it forand murdered in 1985 while he was investigating ties
lunch at Taco Bell?between large drug cartels and Mexican officials.
There are several reasons why criminals opt to makeMexican mercenaries flew Alvarez-Machain to the U.S.
this country their safety nest.to face trial in the federal agent's death.
1. For one, Mexico has a long history of refusing toFor the American citizen, Mexico is more than just a
extradite suspects who face life in prison or the deathplace for suntans and Tequilas. It is a place of refuge
penalty. Their court system sees capital punishmentfor criminals who refuse to be prosecuted.
and life without the possibility of parole as forms of