October 2, 2009
Gary Davidson
Public Information Officer

FUGITIVE ARRESTED IN 1998 MURDER CASE

The long wait for justice in a 1998 homicide may finally be nearing its end. Four brothers were initially implicated in the shooting death of 28-year-old Felipe Rodriguez. The killing took place at a wedding party in DeLeon Springs.

Following the shooting on Sept. 12, 1998, the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office’s investigation moved swiftly. Witnesses told investigators that the shooting was unprovoked, but that it stemmed from a dispute between the suspects and victim that dated back to when they all lived in Mexico. Less than a week after the shooting, investigators had obtained enough evidence and eyewitness testimony to secure murder warrants for four Varela brothers who were all at the party. But by that time, the suspects had fled the area and investigators were unable to track them down.

A 1st-degree murder charge was later dropped against one of the brothers, Julio Varela, after a witness recanted and said she was mistaken about his involvement. A second brother, Rogelio Varela, became a victim of gun violence when he was shot and killed in Mexico. And that left 1st-degree murder charges pending against the two remaining brothers, Jacobo and Hugo Varela. Coincidentally, both were picked up a few months ago -- Jacobo in Louisiana and Hugo in Mexico. Jacobo is accused of firing the first shot at Rodriguez. According to witnesses, the two other brothers then also opened fire on the victim before all three along with Julio and a fifth brother fled the party. The victim was shot a total of 13 times. 

Officials are working with the U.S. Department of Justice to arrange Hugo’s extradition from Mexico. On Thursday afternoon, 44-year-old Jacobo Varela was brought back from Louisiana and booked into the Volusia County Branch Jail in Daytona Beach. He’s being held without bond and also is facing a charge from the FBI with being a fugitive from justice.