14-Year-Old Alleged Hitman "El Ponchis" Arrested in Mexico

He was captured while trying to cross the border with his 16-year-old sister. They wanted to go visit mom in San Diego

CBS News

December 4, 2010


CUERNAVACA, Mexico (CBS/AP) -- A 14 year-old U.S. citizen suspected of being a hired hitman for a Mexican drug cartel was arrested today as he attempted to board a plane to travel back to the United States from Mexico.

Edgar Jimenez, nicknamed "El Ponchis" worked for the South Pacific Cartel since he was 11, according army officials who apprehended him.

Jimenez was captured with his 16-year -old sister who told reporters they planned to cross the border to San Diego, California to see their mother.

"I participated in four executions, but I did it drugged and under threat that if I didn't, they would kill me," the boy told reporters calmly when he was handed over to the federal prosecutor Friday morning, showing no remorse.

"El Ponchis" made grisly headlines in Mexico when reports of murders he allegedly committed surfaced.

The Mexican daily paper La Razon reported in November that he was allegedly paid $3,000 for each murder.

The attorney general for Morelos state said the two would turned over to state authorities, who handle crimes committed by minors in Mexico.