SEDGWICK COUNTY —A murder suspect captured by the U.S. Border Patrol and extradited to Kansas
On Jan. 9, a jury found 32-year-0ld Patricio Gomez guilty of first-degree murder in the fatal shooting of a 42-year-old man at a Wichita hotel in 2021, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.
The jury also found Gomez guilty of attempted distribution of methamphetamine.
In March, U.S. Border Patrol Agents in the El Paso Sector arrested Gomez who was wanted for murder in Wichita.
The El Paso Station Border Patrol Agent encountered Gomez walking along the south side of the Border Barrier near Fonseca Drive and Cesar E. Chavez/Border Highway, according to a media release from U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
When agents questioned the Gomez as to his citizenship, he stated that he was a U.S. citizen and that he had just entered the United States from Mexico, illegally, by attempting to drive his truck across the Rio Grande.
Gomez, was taken into custody, for the illegal entry, and transported to a Border Patrol station for further investigation. Record checks revealed that he had an extensive criminal history and an active warrant out of Wichita for murder.
Gomez was remanded to the custody of the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office until his extradition to Wichita.
On Sept. 30, 2021. police responded to a shooting call at a hotel in the 9400 block of East Corporate Hills, according to Officer Charley Davidson. Upon arrival, officers located 42-year-old Michael Martinez who had been shot. He was pronounced deceased on the scene.
Gomez's sentencing has been scheduled for Feb. 21, according to the district attorney's office.