Suspect accused of murdering Bureau of Indian Affairs employee extradited from El Salvador

Monday, July 30, 2018  

A man accused of murdering a Bureau of Indian Affairs employee more than two decades ago has been extradited from El Salvador to face trial, authorities in Washington, D.C., announced.

Charles Wilkins, 31, was working as an accountant at the BIA when he was murdered in the early morning hours of Saturday, May 27, 1995. He had been celebrating his younger brother's birthday before he was shot from a moving car, the U.S. Attorney's Office said.

Authorities quickly arrested Raul Rodriguez, who was indicted for murder. But after someone posted $500 in bond, he was released from jail and never showed up to his next hearing, The Washington Post reported at the time.

"Shoplifters get higher bonds than that," Mark Wilkins, the victim's younger brother, told the paper. "Five hundred dollars cash. It's unreal, especially since his risk of fleeing the area is high."

Rodriguez, who was 22 years old at the time, fled to his native country. Authorities located him in El Salvador in 2015 but weren't able to extradite him until this month, the U.S. Attorney's Office said.

This time, he won't be getting out as his case proceeds.

"He was ordered held without bond by the Honorable Judge Danya A. Dayson pending further court proceedings, including a status hearing set for Sept. 7, 2018," a press release stated.

Charles Wilkins left behind a wife and three children when he passed away. His family doesn't know why he was shot -- authorities said there is no connection between the victim and the defendant -- but it's believed it was a case of mistaken identity, The Post reported after Rodriguez and a second man were arrested.

"We're happy the arrests were made, but we would like to know why it happened," Mark Wilkins told the paper at the time. The Wilkins are Native American but their tribal affiliation hasn't been reported.

According to D.C. court records, Rodriguez is facing four felony charges: murder in the first-degree premeditated while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, carrying a pistol without a license and violating the Bail Reform Act. The last charge stems from his failure to show up to his hearing back in 1995.

After being extradited from El Salvador, Rodriguez, now 45, appeared in court on July 13. His case number is 1995 FEL 004178 United States Vs. RODRIGUEZ, RAUL A.

The second man who was arrested was Odalis Jimenez, who was 19 at the time, The Post reported. Charges were dropped against him and D.C. court records show his case was "CLOSED."

Read More on the Story:
Suspect in 1995 slaying in D.C. is returned from El Salvador (The Washington Post July 28, 2018)
Suspect in 1995 DC homicide extradited from El Salvador to face charges (WTOP July 27, 2018)