PHILADELPHIA (September 1, 2026) — District Attorney Larry Krasner and the DAO’s Homicide and Non-Fatal Shootings Unit on Tuesday announced charges against defendant Alexis Flores for the kidnapping and murder of five-year-old I’riana De Jesus in 2000.
Defendant Alexis Flores (DOB 07/18/1975) is charged with the following:
- Murder Generally
- Kidnapping (F1)
- Unlawful Restraint (F2)
- Interference with Custody of a Child (F2)
- False Imprisonment (F2)
- And Indecent Assault (M2)
On July 29, 2000, Philadelphia Police were notified that I’riana De Jesus, 5, was missing from her residence on the 3900 block of North Fairhill Street. De Jesus was last seen by her mother at approximately 8 p.m. playing near her house. Police conducted a search of the neighborhood with negative results.
A female witness reported that on July 29 at approximately 8:30 p.m. she saw De Jesus, whom she had known for two years, turning the corner from the 3800 block of North Fairhill Street onto the 500 block of Pike Street and walking with a Latino male the witness did not know.
On August 3, 2000, at approximately 11:34 a.m., police from the 25th District were called to a property on the 3900 block of North 6th Street for a hospital case. Upon arrival, officers found De Jesus’s body wrapped in a plastic trash bag and covered with construction materials. The body was in an advanced state of decomposition. The Medical Examiner’s Office ruled that the cause of death was strangulation and the manner of death was ruled homicide.
Recovered from the crime scene were articles of clothing belonging to a male who was only known as “Carlos.” In addition, those items of clothing and various pieces of evidence were recovered and submitted for DNA analysis. Results of the DNA analysis determined that the victim’s blood was found on the clothing associated with Carlos Doe. A separate DNA profile was extracted from the clothing and other evidence found at the scene. The second profile was associated with the male known as Carlos Doe. This suspect profile was then entered into the National DNA database CODIS by the PA State Police on January 28, 2003.
On February 22, 2007, Detective Joseph Bamberski was notified by the PA State Police that the DNA profile associated with the suspect, “Carlos,” had been matched to an Alexis Flores AKA Carlos Doe; Roberto Mario Flores. During March 2007, the PPD was notified by the PA State Police that the DNA profile associated with the suspect, “Carlos Doe”, had been positively matched to an individual who was a convicted felon in the state of Arizona. Investigation determined that Alexis Flores was deported to Honduras by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in 2005 after serving his sentence in Arizona.
Flores was captured on February 11, 2026, in Lepaera, Honduras, through the efforts of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Transnational Anti-Gang Task Force and Honduran authorities. Following an extensive international extradition process, including the significant efforts of the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs, Flores was transported back to Philadelphia with assistance from the FBI.
“This day means a lot to me. Twenty-five years is a long time waiting, and early on I didn’t have much hope that he would be caught,” said Lizasuain De Jesus, the victim’s mother. “I want to thank Detectives Bamberski and Verrechio for not giving up on this case.”
“This case drew national attention when it occurred because of the heinous and disturbing nature of the crime, and for 25 years I’riana’s family has had to wonder if justice would ever be served, but thanks to the tireless, extraordinary efforts of several law enforcements partners, our prosecutors and staff, we are finally able to stand here today with her family to begin the road to justice,” said District Attorney Larry Krasner.
“In addition to the many law enforcement personnel responsible for the capture of Mr. Flores, I want to recognize Det. John Verrechio of the Philadelphia Homicide Fugitive Unit, Special Agent Benjamin Paris of the FBI Violent Crimes Task Force, Amanda Pyles of the DOJ’s Office of International Affairs, Carolann Masturzo with the DAO’s Extradition Unit, Diana Valderrama with the DAO’s Homicide Unit, and Jeyline Satterwhite, an International Affairs Specialist with the DOJ, for their hard work to return this defendant to Philadelphia,” said Assistant District Attorney Lauren Crump, Assistant Chief of the DAO’s Homicide and Non-Fatal Shootings Unit.