Lawyer accused of masterminding TV host's assassination plot to be extradited to Mexico
SAN DIEGO (Border Report) -- Ciro Gómez Leyva was driving home from work when two people pulled up alongside on a motorcycle firing an automatic weapon at his car in December 2022.
The controversial television host from Mexico City survived the attempt on his life because his Jeep was retrofitted with bullet-proof windows and doors.
Surveillance video from the scene of the shooting led investigators to one of the suspects who reportedly implicated a man simply known as "El Patrón" or "The Boss" as the mastermind of the assassination plot.
The U.S. Attorney in San Diego says "The Boss" is an attorney named Armando Escárcega Valdez from Mexico City who allegedly had fled to Southern California after the attempt on Gómez's life.
On Thursday, Escárcega appeared in a federal courtroom in San Diego and agreed to extradition to Mexico to face charges.
His attorney told Judge Daniel Butcher that his client was not admitting guilt.
In January of last year, a court in Mexico ordered Escárcega's arrest after investigators found evidence at his home and law office allegedly linking him to the murder plot.
According to the U.S. Attorney, wiretaps also provided evidence implicating Escárcega, who had avoided arrest until last October when he was detained in Bakersfield, California.
It was not revealed how soon he will be sent back to Mexico, where he will face several conspiracy charges, as well as counts of extortion and attempted murder.
Initially, 11 people were detained for their role in the assassination attempt on Gómez.
One woman, identified as Yunuen "N," was sentenced this week to three years and six months in prison for her role.
Gómez continues to work for Imagen Noticias.
In a posting on his X account, he acknowledged Escárcega Valdez pending extradition.