- Jorge Milla-Valdes evaded authorities for 40 years after 1987 prison escape
- Used alias 'Luis Aguirre' while building new life in Florida
- Breakthrough came through 40-year-old fingerprint match by forensic experts
- Lee County Sheriff's Fugitive Unit made arrest within two hours of confirmation
- Case highlights advancements in cold case investigation technologies
In a stunning conclusion to one of Puerto Rico's longest-running manhunts, Jorge Milla-Valdes was arrested in Fort Myers Shores last week. The 66-year-old fugitive had escaped from a Caribbean prison in 1987, remaining undetected through multiple identity changes and interstate moves. Lee County Sheriff Carmine Marceno called the apprehension 'a testament to forensic science's enduring power.'
The breakthrough came when Latent Fingerprints Supervisor Tina Carver cross-referenced 1986 prison records with Monroe County arrest documents. 'These prints survived four decades of storage through tropical humidity,' Carver noted. 'Digital enhancement tools let us compare ridge patterns that weren't visible to the naked eye in the 80s.'
Milla-Valdes' arrest marks Florida's third major cold case resolution this year using vintage evidence. In February, Tampa PD identified a 1982 murder suspect through degraded DNA samples, while Jacksonville authorities recently closed a 1978 bank robbery case using enhanced surveillance footage algorithms.
The fugitive's capture reveals three critical insights for modern law enforcement: 1) Pre-digital era evidence remains viable through proper preservation, 2) Aging fugitives often establish roots in communities rather than constantly moving, and 3) Interstate jurisdictional collaboration has improved 73% since 2000 according to DOJ reports.
Bodycam footage shows Milla-Valdes initially protesting his arrest, claiming authorities 'lost interest' in his case. Sheriff Marceno countered: 'Our duty to justice doesn't expire. This sends a clear message - if you've escaped accountability, we're coming regardless of calendar pages.' The suspect now faces extradition to Puerto Rico alongside new Florida charges for identity fraud.