Brenda Delgado, the alleged mastermind behind the murder of Dallas dentist Dr. Kendra Hatcher in September, has been arrested in Mexico, Mexican authorities announced in a news release.
The FBI confirmed the arrest. The U.S. now has 60 days to formalize an extradition request, according to Julio Herrera, a spokesman for Mexico's attorney general.
"As for today, the Mexican government hasn't received anything," Herrera told ABC News. "If it follows the due process, it could be quick -- two or three months. But if Brenda is fighting extradition appeals, it could take a year."
Delgado was arrested in the Mexican town of Torreón, Coahuila, according to the release. Agents with INTERPOL Mexico were reportedly transferring Delgado to Mexico City, where she would be detained in the prison of Santa Marta Acatitla to await extradition to the United States.
Captura @PGR_AIC con fines de extradición a mujer prófuga de la justicia de los EUA. https://t.co/3aNKLxs7LT pic.twitter.com/WQR2ie5p6A
— AIC (@PGR_AIC) April 9, 2016
“The FBI is extremely appreciative of our law enforcement partners in Mexico, as well as our local, state, and federal partners, for their tremendous cooperation and collaboration in the capture of Top Ten Fugitive Brenda Delgado,” said Thomas M. Class, Sr. with the FBI’s Dallas Field Office in a release.
Police said the motive for the September 2 murder inside the parking garage of an Uptown Dallas apartment building revolved around Delgado’s ex-boyfriend.
Dr. Hatcher was dating Delgado's ex-boyfriend, and police say she was jealous, so she hired a hit man and convinced her friend, Crystal Cortes, to help her.
Cortes, who police say drove the getaway car, is already in jail. The alleged gunman, Kristopher Love, was also arrested.
Dallas police questioned Delgado within days of the shooting, and even arrested her on outstanding traffic warrants. She was let go, however, and Delgado purportedly fled to Mexico, where she has family.
The FBI on Wednesday announced that it had added Delgado to its Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list. Officials said a $100,000 reward is being offered for information leading to an arrest.
Sources told News 8 that Dallas police had known for a while where in the country Delgado was hiding. The FBI adding Delgado to the Most Wanted list added pressure on Mexican authorities to make an arrest, sources said.
Extraditing Delgado back to the U.S. may be tricky. Delgado was born in Mexico and is a naturalized U.S. citizen, which means Mexico considers her a citizen and won't extradite her unless there is an agreement in place saying prosecutors won't seek the death penalty.
Mexico does not have the death penalty. Sources say part of the agreement to extradite Delgado will be that she not be executed
— Rebecca Lopez (@rlopezwfaa) April 9, 2016
"Because our constitution doesn't have the capital murder or death penalty, our government asks for the U.S. government put in writing that they are not looking for the death penalty," said Mexican Consul General Sergio Hayakawa.
Breaking: Mexican government says Brenda Delgado has been arrested south of the border:"The Mexican Attorney General's...
Posted by WFAA-TV on Friday, April 8, 2016