DOMINICAN FUGITIVE RAPHAEL CASTILLO EXTRADITED TO

UNCLAS SANTO DOMINGO 003732 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR WHA/CAR SEARBY, L/LEI FOR TORRES AND MUELLER DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE FOR CRIM/OIA ORJALES AND ESTABROOK US MARSHALS SERVICE PLEASE PASS TO JIM SCHIELD DEA FOR OF,OFI,DO,DCO E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: CJAN CVIS KCRM SNAR DR SUBJECT: DOMINICAN FUGITIVE RAPHAEL CASTILLO EXTRADITED TO THE U.S. REF: STATE 80520 ¶1. On December 13, 2006, U.S. Marshals returned Raphael Castillo to the United States to serve sentence for second-degree murder, following a conviction in absentia after trial in the County Court for Monroe County, New York State. As detailed in indictment number 594-93, filed July 16, 1993, Castillo repeatedly shot his victim at close range following a verbal altercation in the early-morning hours of March 27, 1993. ¶2. Castillo was first arrested in San Juan, Puerto Rico on July 19, 1994, based on charges contained in the indictment. He was returned to Monroe County and was subsequently released on bail by the Monroe County Court on January 5, ¶1995. Castillo, represented by counsel, was informed that a trial, with possible conviction and sentencing, would proceed should he fail to appear. ¶3. Following Castillo's failure to appear, he was convicted in absentia on February 3, 1995, of intentional murder in the second degree. On March 31, 1995, the Monroe County Court sentenced Castillo to a term of imprisonment of 25 years to life. ¶4. Following the issuance of a Dominican arrest warrant based on a May 26, 2006, request for extradition, Castillo was apprehended November 22, 2006, by officers of the Dominican National Directorate for Drug Control's Fugitive Unit. Castillo made a knowing, voluntary, and intelligent waiver of his right to challenge the extradition before the Criminal Chamber of the Dominican Supreme Court. His extradition was properly confirmed by presidential decree. ¶5. The return of Castillo marks the 27th Dominican-national fugitive returned through or in lieu of extradition proceedings during CY-2006 (the 9th for FY-2007). BULLEN