On July 26, 2008 it was alleged that Julio Rangel Ceja and a co-conspirator, Jose Lopez Garibay, kidnapped and forcibly raped a 14-year-old girl in Boonville during a concert.

According to the press release from the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Department, during the multiple acts of rape, the victim was repeatedly beaten and told she would be murdered. The victim later escaped to safety while Ceja and Garibay fled Mendocino County to avoid law enforcement apprehension.

Subsequently, arrest warrants were issued in Mendocino County for Julio Rangel Ceja and Jose Lopez Garibay for the listed charges.

On July 21, 2011 a man contacted Mendocino County Sheriff’s detectives claiming to have information on Ceja, but wanted to remain anonymous.

The tipster said that a person he had seen on the America’s Most Wanted television program, Ceja, was in a Mexico jail serving time on local charges. The tipster claimed he had direct knowledge Ceja was in custody in Mexico.

Sheriff’s detectives requested assistance from the United States Attorney’s office when efforts to reach the proper Mexican authorities to confirm the tip proved unsuccessful.

In February 2012 the United States Attorney’s office was able to prepare and translate affidavits and warrants after United States Marshals Service personnel were able to confirm that Ceja was in custody in Mexico as reported.

On September 27, 2012 Ceja was extradited from Mexico to the United States and on Monday, Oct. 1 a Mendocino County Sheriff’s detective traveled to the Bay Area and took custody of Ceja who was transported and booked into the Mendocino County Jail without bail, where he was charged with kidnapping and rape.