YOUNGSVILLE, N.C. – A notorious fugitive, wanted in Puerto Rico for murder, was apprehended in Franklin County on Friday morning, following a joint operation between the U.S. Marshals, Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, and the Puerto Rico Violent Offenders Task Force.
Maytiel Jamar Negron-Guevarez, 32, was taken into custody after a brief pursuit, during which he attempted to flee on foot. The fugitive’s vehicle was stopped along Cedar Creek Road, near the Cedar Creek Landscape Supply store, by Franklin County deputies.
Negron-Guevarez, a former fugitive with a $1,750,000 bond, had evaded capture for nearly four years. His lengthy history of eluding law enforcement culminated in his recent ranking as one of Puerto Rico’s Top 10 Most Wanted.
According to authorities, Negron-Guevarez’s crimes date back to 2020, when a judge issued an arrest warrant for charges of first-degree murder and weapons offenses. A subsequent investigation revealed that the 28-year-old suspect had allegedly murdered two individuals in the town of Dorado, Puerto Rico.
Corporal Callahan and K-9 Deputy Cooper of the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office played a pivotal role in the apprehension, with Sheriff Kevin White praising their efforts. “Thanks to their swift work, this individual is no longer a threat to the community,” White said in a statement.
The sheriff’s office described Negron-Guevarez as “one of the most heinous fugitives” they have encountered, with a reputation for violence. “Heinously murdering two innocent individuals is a crime that cannot be forgiven,” Sheriff White stated.
Negron-Guevarez is currently being held in a local jail, awaiting extradition back to Puerto Rico. The arrest marks a significant milestone in the pursuit of justice for the victims and their families. In 2020, a YouTube video featuring Negron-Guevarez was posted, showcasing his inclusion in Puerto Rico’s “Los Más Buscados” program, highlighting his status as one of the island’s most wanted fugitives. The video detailed a single murder charge, with Negron-Guevarez accused of repeatedly shooting a man in the head.
