State prosecutors have issued an arrest warrant for suspended Jalisco Supreme Court magistrate José de Jesús “N,” who is accused of the alleged abuse of a minor.
The judge has failed to appear at two scheduled hearings, and authorities have been unable to locate him at addresses in Guadalajara provided by his defense lawyers.
An Interpol red notice has been issued, State Prosecutor Luis Joaquin Méndez Ruiz said Monday, adding that immigration authorities have been notified to keep an eye out for the fugitive at airports and bus stations. At present, there are no records that he has left the country, Méndez said.
“It is unfortunate that this subject does not have the courage to face the consequences of his actions,” said Óscar Díaz Torrejón, a lawyer for the alleged victim’s family. “As a magistrate he should have confidence in the administrators of justice, but he is running away like a vile criminal.”
Díaz Torrejón stated that the family of the victim has received threats from José de Jesús “N”, in which he told them that “he is a very powerful man, with money and friends.”
Because he is refusing to cooperate with authorities, the Jalisco Supreme Court ordered the full cancellation of the suspended judge’s salary. He had previously been allowed to retain 70 percent of his monthly wage.