The clock had barely started ticking on Samuel Ramirez Jr.’s time as one of America’s most wanted men before it was abruptly stopped. In a capture that has rewritten the history books of federal law enforcement, the 33-year-old from Federal Way, Washington, was taken into custody in Culiacán, Sinaloa, Mexico, on Tuesday, March 10. The arrest occurred at 11:13 a.m. PT, marking a mere one hour and 13 minutes since he was officially named the 538th addition to the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list.
This rapid apprehension unseated a record that had stood for over half a century. The previous benchmark for the shortest time on the list was held by Billie Austin Bryant, who was caught in 1969, two hours after his name was published.
Ramirez Jr., a U.S. citizen, was promptly deported from Mexico and returned to Washington state Wednesday night to face heavy charges in King County Superior Court.
The administrative shift in enforcement speed was highlighted by Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “Unlike the prior Administration, this Department of Justice is arresting the FBI’s Top Ten Most Wanted criminals as quickly as they are added to the list,” Bondi stated.
She credited the current leadership for the result, adding, “President Trump has unleashed American law enforcement against the worst criminals in our country — Director Patel is doing great work to Make America Safe Again.”
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The search for Ramirez Jr. stems from a violent incident on May 21, 2023, at the Stars Bar and Grill in Federal Way. Investigators allege he was involved in the murders of two women, Jessyca Hohn and Katie Duhnke, and the wounding of a third person. Following the shooting, Ramirez Jr. was believed to have fled both the state and the country, leading to a King County arrest warrant on May 24, 2023, for first-degree murder, second-degree murder, and attempted first-degree murder.
FBI Director Kash Patel emphasized that the speed of the arrest was a testament to the bureau’s persistence.
“Samuel Ramirez Jr.’s apprehension is a direct result of the FBI’s relentless pursuit of justice for victims and their families,” Patel said. “His senseless acts of violence placed him on the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted Fugitives List, and it is that same commitment to the victims that brought him to justice today. There is no border, no amount of time, and no place to hide from the full force of the FBI and its partners.”
The investigation gained significant momentum late last year. On November 14, 2025, a federal warrant was issued for unlawful flight to avoid prosecution. While a reward of $25,000 was initially offered in December, the stakes were raised significantly on the day of the listing. Ramirez Jr. became the first fugitive to fall under a new standard reward tier, with the FBI increasing the offer to $1 million—a massive jump from the previous $250,000 standard.
Local officials noted that this financial incentive and the resulting publicity were key. W. Mike Herrington, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Seattle field office, noted that assistance from the public helped agents pinpoint exactly where the fugitive was hiding. Neil Floyd, First Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Washington, added that the federal “unlawful flight” charge provided the necessary resources to assist local partners in a case that had “deeply affected” the community.
Federal Way Police Chief Andy Hwang expressed gratitude for the international coordination. “This arrest is an important step toward justice for the victims… and toward bringing some measure of closure to their families,” Hwang said.
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The operation involved a complex web of agencies, including the FBI’s Legal Attaché in Mexico City, Mexico’s Secretaria de Seguridad y Protección Ciudadana (SSPC), the Secretaría de la Defensa Nacional (SEDENA), and the Instituto Nacional de Migracion (INM). While the FBI does not disclose the identity of tipsters or confirm if reward money is paid, they reiterated that public cooperation remains their most effective tool.
Since the Ten Most Wanted program began in 1950, 501 of the 538 fugitives listed have been located. Ramirez Jr. now awaits an arraignment in King County, expected to take place roughly two weeks after his booking. As with all criminal proceedings, the charges against him are currently allegations, and he is presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.
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