SALEM — After three-and-a-half years on the run, a former Lowell man pleaded not guilty in the homicide of a Lynn man Tuesday.
Hector Diaz Emiliano, also known as Nelson J. Rodriguez Figueroa and Abismael Xxxgerena, was arraigned on charges of first degree murder and carrying a firearm without a license. Judge Timothy Feeley ordered him held without bail.
Emiliano is accused of shooting Omar Ortiz Lopez, 35, of Lynn, on Nov. 29, 2014. He allegedly shot Lopez in the head outside of the Harbor View Apartments on Sagamore Street in Lynn.
Authorities believed Emiliano fled to the Dominican Republic, but U.S. Marshals recently determined that he was in Puerto Rico. He was arrested last week and returned to Massachusetts to face charges.
“Hector Diaz Emiliano’s capture was an outstanding collaboration and great coordinated effort by U.S. Marshals Service investigators in the districts of Massachusetts, Puerto Rico, and the foreign field office of the Dominican Republic along with Massachusetts State Police Detectives of the Essex District Attorney’s and (Violent Fugitive Apprehension Section) units,” said United States Marshal John Gibbons in a statement. “Although Emiliano has been in hiding for over three years, these investigators persevered through the fugitive investigation and paid close attention to detail, locating, capturing and bringing him to face justice. My thoughts and prayers go out to the victim’s family.”
A pre-trial conference is scheduled for March 27.