U.S. Marshals Service Asks for Public’s Help to Find Fugitive Wanted for 1998 East Chicago Murder

Washington, DC – The U.S. Marshals Great Lakes Regional Fugitive Task Force (GLRFTF) is seeking the public's help in apprehending a man wanted for a 1998 murder in East Chicago, Indiana.

Javier Oropesa (aka Guillermo Lanteros-Serna) is alleged to have shot Alexander Martinez in the face and head on Jan. 11, 1998, in the 400 block of Grove Street.

Oropesa, who is 48 or 49, was charged with the murder in February 2009, and the U.S. Marshals Great Lakes Regional Fugitive Task Force was requested to assist in the fugitive investigation.

Great Lakes Regional Fugitive Task Force Investigators obtained fingerprints from a 1997 Lake County, Indiana, arrest of Oropesa. Those fingerprints were submitted to the Department of Homeland Security. The Department of Homeland Security provided confirmation that Oropesa's fingerprints matched a 1990 arrest of Guillermo Lanteros-Serna (aka Guillermo Serna- Lanteros). Great Lakes Regional Fugitive Task Force investigators determined both identities to be the same subject based on fingerprints.

The FBI's Operational Projects Unit has produced an age-enhanced image of Oropesa/Lanteros-Serna.

Oropesa/Lanteros-Serna is 5 feet 6 inches tall and weighs between 155 and 175 pounds. He has brown eyes and black (possibly graying) hair.

He has ties to Northern Indiana, Southern California, and Mexico.

Anyone with information should notify the agency at the nearest U.S. Marshals office, the Communications Center at 1-877-WANTED-2, online via the web, or tips may be submitted via the USMS Tips.