La Mirada Man Accused Of Ordering Murder Of 17-Year-Old Wife In 1992 Arrested In Antigua

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — A man who ordered the murder of his 17-year-old wife in 1992 has been arrested in the Caribbean island of Antigua, according to authorities.

Morrad Ghonim, 44, was extradited to Florida on Saturday and is awaiting extradition to California, Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Lt. John Corina said.

Ghonim hired Leon Martinez to fatally shot his 17-year-old wife Maria Ghonim in La Mirada Creek Park on July 23, 1992, Corina said.

Martinez, 42, was convicted of the murder in March, Corina said.

"During the investigation, it was discovered that the victim's husband, Morrad Ghonim ... was no longer living in the United States, but was now living in Antigua," Corina said.

"An arrest warrant for suspect Ghonim was obtained," Corina said. "With assistance from the United States Marshals (Service) and the Royal Police Force of Antigua, Ghonim was detained and (was) extradited back to Miami on Saturday."

Ghonim was booked on suspicion of murder by the Miami Dade Police Department and was being held without bail, pending his extradition to California, Corina said.

(©2015 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Wire services contributed to this report.)

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