Antonio "El Diablo" Riano, a 72-year-old Mexican national and one of America’s Most Wanted fugitives, was arrested in Mexico after evading capture for 20 years. Riano was apprehended while working as a local police officer in Zapotitlan Palmas, in the State of Oaxaca, Mexico. He has been charged with first-degree murder for a 2004 shooting outside a bar in Ohio, US. Riano was profiled on the America’s Most Wanted television series in 2005, bringing national attention to his case.
On August 1, 2024, Deputy US Marshals took custody of Riano from Mexican authorities in Mexico City. He was subsequently flown to Cincinnati and transported to the Butler County Jail, where he remains pending court proceedings. The US Marshal Service confirmed his arrest and transport. This marked a significant breakthrough in a case that had remained unresolved for two decades, demonstrating the long arm of the law and the dedication of US law enforcement agencies.
The 2004 shooting incident that led to Riano's charges occurred at the Round House Bar in Hamilton, Ohio. Riano is accused of shooting 25-year-old Benjamin Becerra in the head. According to court records, Becerra had been involved in a brawl at the bar and was asked to leave. When he returned on December 19, 2004, Riano, who was assisting the bartender, shot him in the face following a brief argument. Witnesses and surveillance footage showing Riano purchasing ammunition at a Walmart 45 minutes before the shooting helped identify him as the shooter. He fled the scene in his van and was later found to have several aliases and documents for creating false identifications. The violent and premeditated nature of the crime left a lasting impact on the local community and Becerra’s family, who have been seeking justice ever since.
In February 2005, a Grand Jury indicted Riano for first-degree murder, but he failed to appear at his arraignment and fled to Mexico. He was listed as one of the Butler County Sheriff’s Office's "Most Wanted" and was profiled on America's Most Wanted later that year. Initially, it was believed that Riano traveled to New Jersey before leaving for Mexico. The profile on America’s Most Wanted generated numerous tips and leads, but none led to his capture until now. The show played a crucial role in keeping the case in the public eye and ensuring that law enforcement agencies did not give up on finding him.
An extradition request was filed in 2018 but did not result in any immediate action. However, persistent efforts by law enforcement agencies culminated in his recent arrest. Butler County Prosecutor Michael T. Gmoser emphasized the importance of cooperation among various agencies, stating, "This type of apprehension would not be possible without the cooperation and due diligence of both the Prosecutor's Office investigators, the United States Marshal Service, and the United States Department of Justice." The collaborative effort underscores the complexity and international scope of fugitive apprehensions, often requiring coordination between multiple jurisdictions and countries.
Riano is scheduled to appear in Butler County Court on Monday morning. His arrest brings a long-awaited step toward justice for the family of Benjamin Becerra and highlights the relentless pursuit by law enforcement to bring fugitives to justice, no matter how long it takes. The upcoming court proceedings are expected to be closely watched by the public and media, as they mark the culmination of a long and arduous journey for justice. Becerra’s family, who have endured years of uncertainty and grief, may finally see the man accused of killing their loved one face trial. This case also serves as a reminder of the profound impact of violent crime on victims' families and the critical importance of ensuring that perpetrators are held accountable, regardless of the time elapsed.
