Suspect in US consulate killing in Ciudad Juarez appears in federal court in San Antonio

Suspect in consulate death appears in Texas court

SAN ANTONIO, Texas — A Texas newspaper reports a man suspected of ordering the assassination of a U.S. consulate worker in Mexico has appeared in federal court in San Antonio.

Mexican police have said Jesus Ernesto Chavez told them he ordered the March shooting of Lesley Enriquez because she helped a rival gang obtain American visas. U.S. officials have denied any wrongdoing by Enriquez.

Chavez was arrested in Mexico this summer. The San Antonio Express-News reports he appeared Friday in a closed hearing in federal court in San Antonio and the federal complaint was sealed.

The newspaper says Chavez was turned over to U.S. authorities as part of the countries’ agreement to cooperate on drug cases.

FBI and Justice Department officials didn’t immediately return messages left Saturday.