Man arrested in Willimantic on murder charges in Massachusetts

WILLIMANTIC, Connecticut – A man was arrested Thursday in Willimantic in connection with an investigation into a Massachusetts homicide, the U.S. Marshals Service said in a news release.

Lee George-Maldonado, 28, of Puerto Rico, is charged in Massachusetts with murder, carrying a firearm without a license, attempted criminal assault, kidnapping with a firearm, and two counts of attempted assault and battery with a firearm.

George-Maldonado will also face domestic violence charges in Puerto Rico, the press release said.

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According to the press release, 44-year-old Juan Castro was killed in a fatal shooting on Bank Street in Fall River, Massachusetts, in front of his home on December 23, 2023.

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After investigating the shooting, the city’s police department obtained an arrest warrant for George-Maldonado on May 17, the U.S. Marshals Service said, adding that they were asked to assist in the arrest.

According to the news release, he was found hiding early Thursday morning by U.S. Marshals and Willimantic police at a home on Taylor Court in Willimantic.

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George-Maldonado was taken into custody by the Connecticut U.S. Marshals’ Violent Fugitive Task Force, the Willimantic SWAT team and the department’s Detective Division.

According to Willimantic police, George-Maldonado was being held on $2 million bail and was scheduled to appear in court in Danielson on Thursday. In Connecticut he is charged with arrest without a warrant.

He is currently being held pending extradition to Massachusetts to face out-of-state charges, the U.S. Marshals Service said.

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