Sheriff Wiles Disputes Published Report Detention Officer Was Target In Consulate-related Shootings

El Paso County Sheriff Richard Wiles released a statement Wednesday afternoon stating one of his detention officers was not the target of hitmen that shot and killed three people with ties to the U.S. Consulate in Juarez in mid-March.

The statement comes after The El Paso Times ran a story stating former El Pasoan and Barrio Azteca gang ember alleged Arthur Redelfs, a detention officer at the El Paso County Jail, was targeted because he mistreated gang members at the El Paso County jail. Read the Times article here.

Former Barrio Azteca gamg member Ricardo Valles de la Rosa, 45, told Mexican authorities that gunmen ordered him to follow Redelfs as he left a birthday party in Juarez. Redelfs was traveling with his wife, Lesley, and their baby girl.

Valles told investigators that once the gunmen spotted Redelfs, he was ordered to leave the scene. He said he did so, and heard gunshots minutes later. Valles is now in custody of Mexican authorities.

Wiles’ full statement is below.

“The motive behind the murder of two U.S. Consulate employees and a Detention Officer with the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office remains under investigation by Mexican Authorities and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, which is the lead U.S. Agency. Not withstanding the article published in today’s El Paso Times, it is our understanding from our counterparts in the FBI there is no evidence to support the theory that any of the three victims were specifically targeted.

“Although a former Barrio Azteca gang member by the name of Ricardo Valles de la Rosa has stated otherwise, it must be remembered that he is a career criminal whose credibility may be suspect. I am confident that once the FBI has fully investigated this case and all possible motives, they will make this information known to the public.

“For members of the Sheriff’s Office to comment or speculate on the investigation would be irresponsible and possibly compromise the integrity of the investigation. The public should rest assured we remain vigilant and ready to respond to any threat against a law enforcement member or citizen of our community.

In regard to Detention Officer Arthur Redelfs specifically, I would like to re-emphasize that he was a model officer in good standing with the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office. He received several commendations and letters of recognition throughout his 10 – year career.

“Any statement that Officer Redelfs may have “mistreated” anyone is without merit given his record of performance. Records of this Office contain no information that he ever was complained upon for mishandling or mistreating an inmate.

Officer Redelfs’ family and members of the public need not doubt that Officer Redelfs was a true professional who dedicated his life to a profession that is dangerous and yet necessary to protect this community from individuals like those who viciously killed him and his wife. He served with honor and will always be remembered as a true hero who made a positive difference in our community”