Body of fugitive U.S. marshal found

JUAREZ, Mexico, March 27 (UPI) -- The body of a U.S. marshal who faced federal charges of stealing government property, including weapons, has been found in Juarez, Mexico, officials said.

Deputy Marshal Vincent Bustamante -- a 17-year veteran of the U.S. Marshals Service and a former El Paso, Texas, police officer -- was found Wednesday, Marshals Service spokesman Jeff Carter said. Bustamante, 48, apparently had been shot execution-style in the head, a federal law enforcement official told CNN.

Before his death, Bustamante had been charged with stealing handguns, a shotgun and a pair of binoculars, court documents indicated. Citing the federal law enforcement official, CNN said a pawnshop owner became suspicious and contacted the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms after Bustamante tried to pawn a shotgun.

Mike Torres, an attorney who represented Bustamante, said a warrant had been issued for Bustamante's arrest after he failed to appear last week at a court hearing.

Carter said Bustamante had been on administrative leave and was not in Mexico on marshals business, CNN said.

Juarez, which borders El Paso at the U.S.-Mexico border, has been the scene of extensive drug-related violence, with more than 400 deaths this year associated with fighting between drug cartels and Mexican authorities.