Real Name: Lionel Luviano
Aliases: No known nicknames
Wanted For: Drug-Trafficking, Escape
Missing Since: October 4, 1994
Case[]
Details: Twenty-one-year-old Lionel Luviano once lived a life of excess with cars, motorcycles, expensive clothes, and girlfriends. It was a life fueled by the obscene drug-trafficking of an international narcotics ring broken up after a six-month sting by the Houston Police Department in Texas. He was arrested on August 4, 1994, and faced several years in prison.
Shortly before Lionel was arrested, he sustained serious injuries in a motorcycle accident. The police had no choice but to allow him to continue receiving medical treatment in a private hospital. He was placed in a guarded room in LBJ Hospital. While there, he was shackled to his bed at all times. He shared Room 3B3 with a total stranger, Vasquez Martinez, who was the victim of an armed robbery gone wrong.
On October 4, three visitors (two women and a man) arrived at the hospital. They claimed that they were visiting Vasquez, so the guard let them in. After he shut the door, the visitors, who were actually Lionel's relatives, put their plan into action. They cut off his handcuffs and had him shave. His sister then gave him her clothes and a wig to make him look like her. He and the two other relatives then left the room without the guard noticing.
Lionel's sister stayed behind; she held Vasquez at gunpoint to keep him from seeking help. A few minutes later, it was discovered that Lionel had escaped. His sister slipped away during the confusion. However, she and the two other relatives were soon arrested. To this day, Lionel remains at large. It is believed that he is hiding out somewhere in Mexico. He is 5'5", 120 pounds, has brown eyes and black hair. He was born on August 8, 1973.
Extra Notes: This case first aired on the May 5, 1995 episode.
Results: Unresolved. In 2018, the charges against Lionel were dismissed without prejudice. This means that they can be filed again if requested. However, he is no longer being actively sought by law enforcement.
Links:
- Lionel Luviano on Unsolved.com
- United States v. Torres
- Lionel Luviano on Unresolved Reddit
- Lionel Luviano on AMW Fans