The Justice Department unsealed an indictment Monday that charges five individuals—for of whom are believed to be hiding in Mexico—in connection with the December 2010 murder of Border Patrol agent Brian Terry.
US Border Patrol Agent Brian Terry
The 11-count indictment, according to Fox News, was originally issued by a federal grand jury in November of last year. In addition to the five persons charged in connection to the slaying, the indictment also charges a sixth person in a related incident, the news agency said.
Terry’s murder was the catalyst that triggered the investigation of Operation Fast and Furious, leading to congressional hearings and ultimately to the House citing Attorney General Eric Holder with contempt of Congress for not turning over hundreds of documents that had been subpoenaed by the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. The investigation initially began with revelations of two internet journalists, David Codrea and Mike Vanderboegh. Senator Charles Grassley (R-IA) started investigating in late january 2011, and weeks later, Congressman Darrell Issa (R-CA), chairman of the House Oversight Committee, launched his own investigation.
Kent Terry with son Brian
The indictment also confirmed that Terry and his colleagues had been shooting at suspected criminals with bean bags instead of live ammunition, while the suspects fired back with real bullets.
Two men are currently in custody. They were identified as Manuel Osario Arellanes and his brother, Rito. Manuel Arellanes was wounded in the exchange of gunfire on the night Terry was killed. Rito was arrested earlier in connection with providing weapons to the suspects involved in the shooting, Fox said.
The United States is offering up to $1 million for information leading to the arrest of the four suspects now in hiding.
