metro police
Jose Rangel
Friday, Feb. 12, 2021 | 6:15 p.m.
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The father of the alleged killer of Lesly Palacio is in custody after being nabbed at the U.S.-Mexico border last month, Metro Police announced Friday.
Jose Rangel, 46, is being held on one count each of accessory to commit murder and destroying evidence, for which he and his son were indicted Friday, Clark County District Court records show.
His son, Erick Michel Rangel-Ibarra, who is still a fugitive, is facing an additional count of murder, according to the indictment.
The elder Rangel was taken in on Jan. 19 by U.S. Customs and Border Protection in San Diego, police said. He was brought back to Las Vegas on Jan. 31.
Police had said they believed the suspects had fled to Mexico after Palacio, 22, was killed.
Palacio’s body was found Sept. 9 in the desert near Valley of Fire State Park almost two weeks after she went missing from Las Vegas.
Officials haven’t said how she died.
The Palacio family has said that the Ibarras were longtime acquaintances, and that Lesly went missing after meeting up with the younger man.
Family described Palacio as a kind young woman who was studying to be a phlebotomist, who always made sure her sisters were fed while her mother worked lengthy shifts cleaning hotel rooms.
“I try to appear strong, but I’m not OK. I need Lesly to keep fighting, but I still have my daughters to fight for,” a sobbing Aracely Palacio told the Sun in September. “She didn’t like to see me suffering, didn’t like to see me cry.”
Rangel, who is being held at the Clark County Detention Center on a $100,000 bond, is due in court on Feb. 19.
His listed attorney could not be reached for comment Friday.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Metro at 702-828-3521 or via email at [email protected]. To remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at 702-385-5555 or online at crimestoppesrofnv.com.
