Federal Bureau of Investigation, Denver Division Special Agent in Charge (SAC) James Yacone announced today the placement of a fugitive from the Denver metropolitan area to the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list. Joining SAC Yacone at the press conference were First Judicial District Attorney Peter A. Weir, United States Attorney for the District of Colorado John Walsh, and Jefferson County Sheriff Ted Mink.
SAC Yacone discussed the background of the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted Fugitives program, which was launched on March 14, 1950—63 years ago today. The program has a nearly 94 percent success rate for those that have been added to the list and arrested since its inception.
The last fugitive from Colorado added to the list from the FBI Denver Division was Theodore Robert Bundy, aka Ted Bundy, on February 10, 1978; he was captured on February 15, 1978 for a murder he committed in Aspen, Colorado.
The fugitive that was added to the Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list today is Edwin Ernesto Rivera Gracias. He is wanted for his alleged involvement in the brutal murder of a long-time family acquaintance in Jefferson County, Colorado. The crime took place on August 17, 2011. The 69-year-old victim was found brutally beaten, stabbed, and dumped in the mountains of Jefferson County.
Rivera Gracias is believed to be in El Salvador and may have Salvadoran identification that says Edwin Rivera. He may also attempt to travel to the United States using fraudulent documents.
He is a known member of the gang MS-13. Rivera Gracias has ties to other gang members who are located in Colorado, Los Angeles, and El Salvador. Rivera Gracias may also be traveling to Mexico and Guatemala.
The FBI Denver Division obtained an unlawful flight to avoid prosecution (UFAP) warrant for Rivera Gracias in the United States District Court for the District of Colorado.
The FBI Denver Division is asking for media and public assistance in bringing this dangerous fugitive to justice. The FBI is offering a reward of up to $100,000 for information leading directly to the arrest of Edwin Ernesto Rivera Gracias.
If Rivera Gracias is spotted, immediately contact the nearest office of the FBI or local law enforcement agency. For any possible sighting outside the United States, contact the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate.
A telephone tip line has been set up to assist in the apprehension of this fugitive. Please call 1-800-CALL-FBI to report information.
Resources:
– Story: New Top Ten Fugitive
– Video: Edwin Ernesto Rivera Gracias on FBI Ten Most Wanted List
– Wanted poster (English) | Wanted poster (Spanish)
– Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list
– Facts on the Ten Most Wanted Fugitives program
Additional Information:
Top Ten Fugitives Who Committed Crimes Within the Denver Division
| Name | Date Placed on List | Date Arrested/Located | Location of Crime | Crime Committed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joseph Franklin Bent, Jr. | 1/9/51 | 8/29/52 | Cheyenne, WY | UFAP-Robbery, Attempted Murder, Assault |
| Cameron David Bishop | 4/15/69 | 3/12/75 | Golden, CO | Sabotage |
| Theodore Robert Bundy | 2/10/78 | 2/15/78 | Aspen, CO | UFAP-Murder |
| Joseph Corbett, Jr. | 3/30/60 | 10/29/60 | Denver, CO | UFAC-Kidnapping, Murder |
| Charles Francis Higgins | 10/10/60 | 10/17/60 | Canon City, CO | UFAC-Robbery |
| Francis Leroy Hohimer | 6/20/69 | 12/20/69 | Denver, CO | UFAP-Robbery |
| Everett Lowell Krueger | 1/25/54 | 2/15/54 | Jackson, WY | ITSMV |
| Chester Anderson McGonigal | 8/14/61 | 8/17/61 | Aspen, CO | UFAP-Attempted Murder |
| Edwin Ernesto Rivera Gracias | 3/14/13 | Jefferson County, CO | UFAP-First-Degree Murder |
Top Ten Fugitives Arrested/Located Within the Denver Division
| Name | Date Placed on List | Date Arrested | Location of Arrest | Crime Committed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Daniel Jay Barney | 3/10/81 | 4/19/81 (found dead) | Denver, CO | UFAP-Sexual Assault; Armed Burglary; Escape |
| Everett Leroy Biggs | 11/21/66 | 12/1/66 | Broomfield, CO | UFAP-Armed Robbery; Bank Robbery |
| James Robert Bishop | 1/10/66 | 1/21/66 | Aspen, CO | UFAP-Armed Robbery |
| Harry H. Burton | 3/9/51 | 2/7/52 | Cody, WY | UFAP-Murder |
| Daniel Abram Everhart | 8/17/55 | 10/9/55 | Denver, CO | UFAP-Robbery |
| Edward Eugene Harper | 11/29/08 | 7/23/09 | Washakie County, WY | UFAP-Conspiracy to Commit Sexual Battery, Child Fondling, Sexual Battery |
| Richard Allen Hunt | 5/27/59 | 6/2/59 | Thermopolis, WY | ITSMV; UFAP-Kidnapping, Assault with Intent to Commit Murder |
| Lohman Ray Mays, Jr. | 2/15/85 | 9/23/85 | Cheyenne, WY | Bank Robbery; UFAC-Escape |
| Chester Anderson McGonigal | 8/14/61 | 8/17/61 | Denver, CO | UFAP-Attempted Murder |
| Jack Harvey Raymond | 8/8/54 | 10/14/54 | Denver, CO | ITSP |
| James Ray Renton | 4/7/76 | 5/9/77 | Aurora, CO | UFAP-Murder; Bond Default; Parole Violator |
| John William Sherman | 8/3/79 | 12/17/81 | Golden, CO | EFP |
| Ernest Tait | 8/16/60 | 9/10/60 | Denver, CO | UFAP-Burglary |
| Raymond Edward Young | 11/12/51 | 11/16/51 | Denver, CO | UFAP-Burglary, Assault with a Dangerous Weapon |