Michael Alfonso (murderer)

Michael Alfonso
Born Michael Johnson[1]
(1969-06-06) June 6, 1969[2]
Illinois[3]
Residence Menard Correctional Center in Chester, Illinois[2]
Nationality American
Other names Michael A. Johnson
Michael Alfonso Johnson
Milton Lenon[4]
Adolfo Ruiz[5]
Occupation Laborer
Known for Stalking, assaulting, and murdering ex-girlfriends
Height 5 ft 7 in (170 cm)
Weight 160 lb (73 kg)
Criminal charge
  • One count aggravated stalking/bodily harm
  • Two counts murder/intent to kill/injure
  • One count conceal homicidal death
  • One count intent/homicide/unborn child
  • One count kidnapping/secretly confine
  • One count felony possession/use of weapon/firearm
  • One count aggravated battery/great bodily harm
  • Two counts criminal sex assault/force [2]

Michael Alfonso (born Michael Johnson; June 6, 1969 in Illinois) is a former American fugitive who was convicted of multiple felonies, including two counts of murder. He was captured after a manhunt in Mexico and extradited back to the U.S.

Flight and capture

After the second murder, on June 6, 2001, Alfonso went on the run and escaped to Mexico.[6] In January 2003, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) placed him on the bureau's Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list.

The chase lasted over three years and covered three Central American countries, including Mexico, Guatemala, and Belize. Within months of his listing on the FBI's Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list, Alfonso's crimes were featured across two episodes of the television show America's Most Wanted. Due to the media coverage, Mexican federal agents and American FBI agents received many tips on Alfonso's whereabouts. Once his location was verified, FBI agents were dispatched to assist Mexican authorities with his capture.[6] On July 15, 2004, he was captured and extradited back to the U.S. soon after. He was charged with multiple crimes, including stalking, assault, sexual assault, kidnapping, homicide of an unborn child, and murder.

Conviction and sentencing

Alfonso pleaded guilty to two counts of first-degree murder for the slayings of Sumanear Yang, 23, in 1992 and Genoveva Franco Velasquez, 28, in 2001.[7][8] The prosecutor believed that Alfonso entered his guilty plea to avoid the possibility of a death sentence.[9][10]

In popular media

Alfonso was added to the FBI's Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list in January 2003. Within six months of his fugitive listing, the television series America's Most Wanted reported on Alfonso twice in March and May 2004.[11] FBI spokesman Frank Bochte announced, "He was arrested recently after a person in Mexico recognized him from the television show America's Most Wanted and called authorities."[12]

An episode of I (Almost) Got Away With It, an American documentary television series on the Investigation Discovery channel, aired on January 19, 2010. It reported on Alfonso's murders and violence against multiple women.[5] The documentary also covered his escape to Mexico, where he attempted to start a new life. While on the run, he attempted to live in parts of Mexico, Guatemala, and Belize before returning to Mexico, where he was apprehended.

References

  1. ↑ "DuPage County IL Official Website - Michael Alfonso Sentenced to Natural Life for Murder of Two Former Girlfriends". www.dupageco.org. DuPage County. Retrieved 1 June 2016.
  2. 1 2 3 "Illinois Depart of Corrections". InmateSearch.aspx. State of Illinois. Retrieved 1 June 2016.
  3. ↑ "Background Page". www.straightshooter.net. CUFF - Citizens United to Find Fugitives. Retrieved 1 June 2016.
  4. ↑ "Michael Alfonso Mugshot - Michael Alfonso Arrest - Unsorted, IL". Mugshots.com. Retrieved June 1, 2016.
  5. 1 2 "I (Almost) Got Away with It - Season 1 Episodes". Watchr Media. Retrieved June 1, 2016.
  6. 1 2 "Longtime Fugitive Nabbed in Mexico". Fox News. FOX News Network, LLC. Associated Press. July 16, 2004. Retrieved June 2, 2016.
  7. ↑ Bradbery, Angela; Barnum, Art (November 11, 1992). "Body In Park Identified As Wheaton Hairstylist". tribunedigital-chicagotribune. Tribune Publishing Company. Retrieved June 3, 2016.
  8. ↑ Coen, Jeff; Gregory, Ted; Chase, John; Barnum, Art; Spencer, LeAnn (June 7, 2001). "Suspect sought in slaying". tribunedigital-chicagotribune. Tribune Publishing Company. Retrieved June 3, 2016.
  9. ↑ Halperin, Rick (July 12, 2007). "[Deathpenalty] death penalty news----IDAHO, KAN., ILL., USA". Washburn University School of Law Library. Retrieved June 2, 2016.
  10. ↑ Barnum, Art (July 12, 2007). "Killer of 2 girlfriends is given life in prison". Chicago Tribune. Tribune Publishing. Retrieved June 2, 2016.
  11. ↑ "America's Most Wanted - Season 17 Episodes". Watchr Media. Retrieved June 1, 2016.
  12. ↑ Vries, Lloyd (July 16, 2004). "'Wanted' Show Nabs Another One". www.cbsnews.com. CBS Interactive Inc. Associated Press. Retrieved June 1, 2016.
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