U.S. Marshals Extradite Austin Fugitive Intercepted by Foreign Officials in Panama

Austin, TX – The U.S. Marshals, working with the Department of State, and Panamanian Officials received custody of a man who had been sought by the Austin Police Department on a warrant issued May 17, 2024, for aggravated kidnapping. 

Brayan Estiven Rios, 29, Columbian national, was wanted by the Austin Police for a robbery that occurred July 19, 2022, in the 2500 block of Francisco Street. According to the affidavit, a victim reported to have been forced into a vehicle at gunpoint and was further instructed to withdraw a large sum of money from her bank account. 

In April, the Lone Star Fugitive Task Force, Department of Justice - Office of International Affairs, and the Travis County District Attorney’s Office communicated with the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL) to facilitate the extradition of Rios, who was intercepted by officials in Panama.

On May 22, Panamanian officials handed Rios over to the USMS for extradition back to the United States. After arriving at the Austin Bergstrom International Airport, he was transported and booked into the Travis County Jail, where he will await further judicial proceedings. 

The Department of Homeland Security filed an immigration detainer on Rios, who is a Columbian national and has no legal status in the United States. 

The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs worked with Panamanian authorities to secure the extradition of Rios.

Members of the Lone Star Fugitive Task Force in Austin – 

Austin Police Department-Tactical Intelligence Unit
Round Rock, and San Marcos Police Department
Caldwell, Hays, Travis, and Williamson County Sheriff’s Office
Texas Attorney General’s Office
Texas Department of Criminal Justice OIG
Texas Department of Public Safety
U.S. Immigration & Customs Enforcement
U.S. DHS/Homeland Security Investigations

Source: U.S. Marshals Service, usmarshals.gov