Mexican Fugitive Extradited to Orange County in Connection with Ex-Girlfriend’s Boyfriend’s Death

Humberto Rodriguez Martinez Extradited to Face Murder Charges in California

SANTA ANA, Calif. — Humberto Rodriguez Martinez, 39, has been extradited from Mexico to face charges related to a 2017 murder involving the fatal stabbing of his ex-girlfriend’s new boyfriend. After eight years on the run, Martinez arrived in Orange County on December 4, 2025.

Prosecutors allege that Martinez and a co-defendant, Adan Zapot-Leyva, waited outside an Anaheim apartment on October 17, 2017, until Daniel Reyes returned home. After Reyes entered the building, witnesses reported that the two men tracked him down outside, culminating in a brutal attack at the intersection of Santa Ana Street and Helena Street, where Reyes was stabbed multiple times.

Officials indicate that Martinez fled to Mexico immediately following the incident, while Zapot-Leyva was apprehended two days later. Zapot-Leyva pleaded guilty in 2023 to second-degree murder and is currently serving a sentence of 15 years to life.

Martinez, who was in the U.S. illegally at the time of the murder, entered a not guilty plea on January 6, 2026, and remains in custody. His case’s path involved collaboration between Mexican authorities and the U.S. Marshals Service, culminating in his arrest in 2024.

Key Timeline:

• Oct. 17, 2017: Daniel Reyes is fatally stabbed in Anaheim as Martinez flees to Mexico.
• Oct. 19, 2017: Adan Zapot-Leyva is arrested for his involvement in the murder.
• 2023: Zapot-Leyva is sentenced to 15 years to life in prison.
• 2024: Mexican authorities, with U.S. assistance, locate and arrest Martinez.
• Dec. 4, 2025: Martinez is extradited to the United States, taken into custody upon arrival.
• Jan. 6, 2026: Martinez pleads not guilty in court.

Anaheim Police Chief Manny Cid remarked on the significance of the arrest, stating, "This arrest does not undo the pain the victim’s family has endured, but it reinforces our commitment and promise to our community: we will never stop working until justice is served." Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer emphasized the determination of law enforcement, asserting, "The long arm of Orange County law enforcement reaches to every corner of the earth to ensure the full weight of the law is felt by those who commit the most heinous acts of violence against other human beings."

The case sheds light on the complex nature of international extradition, particularly regarding charges with "special circumstances." As Martinez navigates the legal process, he remains in federal custody in compliance with Department of Homeland Security and Immigration and Customs Enforcement regulations.