Marco Rubio Applauds Extradition of Honduran Immigrant Charged with Murder in the U.S.

U.S. Senator Marco Rubio has expressed his approval of the extradition of Eswin Mejía, a Honduran national accused of the 2016 murder of American young woman Sarah Root. Mejía, who had been on the run for nine years, was recently apprehended in Honduras and brought back to the United States to face justice.

Rubio stated on social media, "Justice for Sarah Root will finally be served. Nine years ago, Sarah was tragically killed by an illegal immigrant who then fled our county. Today, the Trump administration is announcing the extradition of Sarah's killer from Honduras to the United States to face justice once and for all. Thank you to the Honduran government for their cooperation and assistance."

The Honduran National Police confirmed Mejía's capture on February 27, 2025, in the village of Río Frío, within the municipality of San Nicolás, in Santa Bárbara department. On March 17, the Honduran government agreed to extradite him. His arrest was the result of a special search and capture operation, following a detailed intelligence and surveillance process.

After his capture, Mejía was taken under strict security measures to the National Directorate of Special Forces in Tegucigalpa, pending extradition proceedings according to current regulations. Mejía is facing charges in the United States for motor vehicle homicide, classified as a Class II A felony under the Nebraska Revised Statutes.

The indictment alleges that in 2016, he fatally struck Sarah Root while driving under the influence. He is also charged with failing to appear in court, a Class IV felony under Nebraska law. U.S. authorities have emphasized the Honduran government's collaboration in the extradition process, which has allowed Mejía to return to American soil to answer for his crimes. The judicial process against him is expected to progress in the coming days.