A 20-year-old fugitive accused of homicide in Washington state has been apprehended in Utah.
Jose Antonio Cedeno-Ponce was taken into custody by law enforcement officers after they encountered him at a business in Utah County. Authorities have charged him with second-degree murder in connection with the January 10, 2025, killing of a high school student in King County, Washington.
Details of the Incident
According to the FBI, Cedeno-Ponce traveled to Tukwila intending to engage in a fight with a group of high school students. However, before anyone confronted him, he armed himself with a knife. During the altercation, he fatally stabbed the victim before fleeing the scene.
After the homicide, authorities say Cedeno-Ponce abandoned his vehicle in Idaho and continued to evade law enforcement until his arrest in Utah.
Arrest and Legal Proceedings
The FBI Safe Streets Task Force, with assistance from the Orem Police Department and the Utah County Major Crimes Task Force, successfully apprehended Cedeno-Ponce. Following his arrest, he was booked into the Utah County Jail, where he remains in custody awaiting extradition to Washington state.
Special Agent in Charge Mehtab Syed of the Salt Lake City FBI praised the collaborative effort of multiple agencies, emphasizing the importance of joint task forces in combating violent crime and ensuring public safety.
The Safe Streets Task Force, comprised of local and federal law enforcement officials, focuses on tackling gang-related violence and violent crime throughout the Salt Lake metro area.
Legal Disclaimer
As with all criminal cases, the charges against Cedeno-Ponce remain allegations. He is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law .
