Los Angeles News
FBI's "Most Wanted" Gang Member Captured
By Katherine Noland
Nov 25, 2012 - 11:25:43 AM

Photo of Jose Saenz Courtesy FBI

LOS ANGELES—An East LA gang member on FBI’s “Most Wanted” list is now being held in custody after being deported to Los Angeles from Guadalajara, Mexico.

Gang member Jose Luis Saenz, aka “Smiley” along with a number of other alias names, is being held at the Metropolitan Detention Center in downtown Los Angeles for a number of violent crimes, including murder, rape and kidnapping. After an anonymous tip left in return for a $100,000 reward, Saenz was said to be spotted living above a beauty salon. He had changed his appearance in a number of different ways, including a significant weight gain and the removal of several tattoos. After cooperation with the Mexican government, Saenz was arrested on Thursday, November 22 in Mexico. He was exported with a member of the FBI back to Los Angeles on an Alaska Airline’s commercial flight.

Saenz allegedly shot two gang members back in 1998, the same year authorities believe he kidnapped, raped, and killed a former girlfriend to silence her from speaking up about the double murders. Another suspected murder in 2008 followed.