Illegal migrant accused of Anaheim murder extradited from Mexico

An illegal migrant accused of murder has been extradited from Mexico after years on the run.

Humberto Rodriguez Martinez, 39, is accused of stabbing his ex-girlfriend’s new boyfriend to death in Anaheim nearly a decade ago and has been a fugitive since escaping custody in 2017.

Martinez allegedly visited his ex-girlfriend’s apartment to help watch their children back in October of 2017. Later that night, her new boyfriend, Reyes, was chased and stabbed to death nearby, according to authorities. Martinez’s accomplice later pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and was sentenced to 15 years to life. 

Martinez, a Mexican national, pleaded not guilty and will remain held without bail in the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement while his case proceeds.

“This arrest does not undo the pain the victim’s family has endured, but it reinforces our commitment and promise to our community: we will never stop working until justice is served,” said Anaheim Police Chief Manuel Cid.

“The pursuit of justice will never be derailed by time or distance,” said Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer.

“The long arm of Orange County law enforcement reaches to every corner of the earth to ensure the full weight of the law is felt by those who commit the most heinous acts of violence against other human beings.”

Martinez  was located and arrested by Mexican officials during a joint operation with the U.S. Marshals Service and was extradited in coordination with the U.S. Department of Justice in 2024. Anaheim police took him into custody when he landed at Los Angeles International Airport.