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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: October 1st, 2007

DEFENDANT ALFONSO PESANTE-LÓPEZ ARRESTED

SAN JUAN, P.R. - Rosa Emilia Rodríguez-Vélez, United States Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico, Luis Fraticelli, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), San Juan Division, today jointly announced the arrest of Alfonso Pesante-López aka “Chavo.” On September 26, 2007, a federal Grand Jury returned a one-count indictment charging the defendant with violations of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2119(3).

The Indictment charges that on or about April 17, 2007, Alfonso Pesante-López aka “Chavo,” with the intent to cause death and serious bodily harm, knowingly and intentionally, did take a motor vehicle, that is, a 2006 Toyota Corolla, license plate number GOJ-315, from the person of Rafael Medina-Valentín, by force, violence, and intimidation, which resulted in his death.

“Rafael Medina-Valentín was a life long resident of San Sebastian, PR, and for the last 27 years he worked as both, an elementary school teacher and a pastor for the Asamblea de Iglesias Cristianas Inc.”, said US Attorney Rosa E. Rodríguez-Vélez. “His death shook our entire community not only because of who Rafael Medina Valentín was, but also because of the brutal manner in which his life was taken.”

"Carjacking is one of the most dangerous violent crimes," said Luis Fraticelli, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)-San Juan Division. "If you are convicted of carjacking on the federal level, you can expect to be in prison for a long time."

If convicted, the defendant faces imprisonment for any number or years up to life, or death, on the charge of carjacking resulting in death.

The case was investigated by the FBI and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jacabed Rodríguez-Coss.

The public is reminded that an indictment contains only charges and is not evidence of guilt. The defendants are presumed innocent and are entitled to a fair trial and the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.