LOS ANGELES – The father of a former Los Angeles police officer wanted for murder was arrested Thursday for allegedly lying to FBI agents after helping his son flee to Mexico.
Victor Solis, 53, is accused of falsely telling agents that he drove his son — now-fired Officer Henry Solis, 27 — to Texas and dropped him off at a bus station in El Paso and had no idea where his son went from that point.
![Now-fired Los Angeles police officer Henry Solis is wanted for his alleged involvement in the murder of a man in downtown Pomona on March 13, 2015. The FBI is offering a reward of up to $25,000 for information leading directly to his arrest. [View the FBI wanted poster here.]](https://www.theavtimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Henry-Solis-wanted-by-FBI.jpg)
An FBI agent said in the complaint that the elder Solis lied when he denied that he had crossed the border with his son.
Victor Solis was arrested at home in Lancaster Thursday morning, and he appeared in federal court hours later in downtown Los Angeles.He is charged with making a false statement to law enforcement.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Frederick F. Mumm ordered Victor Solis detained without bail as a flight risk and a danger to the community based on evidence found at the Lancaster apartment where he was arrested.
FBI Special Agent Scott Garriola told Mumm that when a task force went to apprehend Victor Solis, they found about $5,000 and firearm ammunition.
In urging Mumm to order Victor Solis detained, Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen Wolfe said the defendant “assisted his son in fleeing a murder charge” and had said authorities “would never find his son.”
Wolfe said the elder Solis was not a United States citizen, had no job, was estranged from his family, had “no ties” to the U.S. and was “likely” to flee to Mexico if released from federal custody prior to trial.
The judge agreed, saying that the ex-officer’s father “has an ability to flee to jurisdiction” and was a danger to the community.
Victor Solis agreed to be transferred to Texas to face the federal charge, which carries a possible prison sentence of up to five years. He was ordered to remain jailed without bail.
According to the complaint, the elder Solis told agents he traveled alone to Mexico on March 14, “… when in truth and in fact the defendant traveled to Mexico with his son on March 14, 2015, and the defendant’s false statement was an attempt to conceal his son’s whereabouts from law enforcement.”
Investigators searching for Henry Solis learned from family members, friends and witnesses that after the shooting, “Henry Solis made incriminating statements about his role in the murder of Rodriguez,” court papers show.
Solis then called his father in Lancaster, and soon after, “(Victor) Solis left his Lancaster home in a hurry.”
Victor Solis told a special agent during an interview at a home in San Elizario, Texas, that his son called him between 7 and 8 a.m. on March 13 and said that he had five days of vacation and wanted to go to El Paso, according to an affidavit.
The two arrived in El Paso about 3 a.m. March 14 and Victor Solis said he dropped his son off at a bus station, but Henry Solis did not say where he was going.
Victor Solis said he then parked his car in a lot near a border crossing and fell asleep and later walked across the border into Juarez in the Mexican state of Chihuahua about 2 p.m., before returning about 8 p.m.
“Solis stated that he called a detective from a payphone and he told the detective that they would never find his son,” according to the affidavit.
Special Agent Armando Soto, who filed the affidavit, said that on Monday he viewed video obtained from the border crossing and saw Henry and Victor Solis both crossing the border about 5:40 a.m. March 14.
Henry Solis, who was fired March 17 from the LAPD, remains at large. The FBI is offering a reward of up to $25,000 for information leading directly to his arrest.
Henry Solis is suspected of pursuing and gunning down Salome Rodriguez Jr., 23, after getting into a fight with the victim in downtown Pomona bar. The fatal shooting occurred around 3:30 a.m. Friday, March 13, near Third and Main streets.
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[Information via City News Service.]
Previous related story: Warrant: Lancaster dad helped son, wanted for murder, flee to Texas
RICKY RICK says
THIS DUDE IS ALREADY IN MEXICO WORKING FOR THE DRUG CARTEL WINNING 100,000 DOLLARS A MONTH TRAINING OTHER MEMBERS ON THE USE OF WEAPONS AND TACTICS NO NEED TO COME BACK ANYMORE THE CARTELS PAY OFF THE CORRUPT GOVT IN MEXICO
Just Saying says
It’s nice to finally see a top notch security photo. Taxpayers got their monies worth on that camera.
No More says
I am so sick of the illegals living here!!! Now the DMV has them on record with giving them licenses, (wtf) They need to be deporting their [removed] back home!! I have been calling and reporting to I.C.E on every undocumented illegal alien that I hear and know of….and two have been deported and they will investigate all others….If you want to live in U.S> DO IT THE RIGHT WAY AND AT LEAST START THE PAPER WORK, YES IT TAKES TIME BUT JUST DO IT, IF YOU WANT TO BE AMERICAN, FOLLOW OUR LAWS!!… you are most welcome, if you do it the right way!….why live in fear and be limited because you are illegal?, BECOME LEGAL, and ENJOY all the benefits
h says
What are you talking about. These guys are all citizens .
ladiibleu says
According to this article the father is undocumented hence the detainment and high bail amount. Also the the $5000 and weapon ammunition found in the father’s apt. He (elder solid) is considered a flight risk, with no ties to the community and estranged from his family.
Hil says
Story states “not a U.S. citizen” very different from undocumented. He could still be in the country legally with documentation as resident or non resident alien status. He is considered a flight risk and charged for giving a false statement to a FBI agent which is the reason for detainment and no bail.
Duh! says
@No More,
Are you Native American? If not, please stop, your words are extremely ignorant. You must be retired to spend all your time calling I.C.E., which is actually now called USCIS (you are a little behind in news). Stop wasting your time and spend a little more of your effort on learning correct grammar and spelling, you are in dire need of both. My questions to you are very simple. Can you highlight the area in the article that states the father is illegal? How did the father cross the border? How did they obtain video footage of him? Duh! He is likely a permanent resident. People like you make me sick. I am a 3rd generation Mexican American and it makes me angry to know that even my children will face discrimination based on the way they look and not their skills, merit, and education! DumbXXX!!!!
michi says
@ no more you are the one that makes this world disgusting you must be a low life with out a job to sit you a$$ calling uscis trying to get people deported but why don’t you guys remember these people do what you probably don’t do WORK or or get education since you cant understand the article
Sweet says
Your ignorant in no way is this a reflection of immigrants. It’s ignorant people like you that make the world a disgusting place. I hope one day you regret those very words you took the time to spread across the internet. Hopeless
TNT says
AND SPEAK ENGLISH IN ORDER TO GET A JOB….NOT THE OTHER WAY AROUND
Amy says
It’s not as [removed] as you think and you’re so wrong for doing people like that people have dreams to accomplish here you aint [removed] honestly and karma will bite you right in the [removed]
AS says
According to KTLA news the father has been charged. As he should. And this ignorance about Mexicans being loyal to their families more than the law or not being snitches and riding it out… That is why things are the way they are. I am Mexican. I am all about being loyal to my family and riding out tough times. I have three sons, and I pray they continue down the right path, but if they ever strayed and commited a crime there are consequences to pay. That’s how I was raised. Especially when taking someone else’s life. Are you kidding me? Like it’s ok mijo, we’ll get you out of this. We’ll hide you. What are you teaching your children? What are they gonna teach their children? Crime is ok? GTFO. I hope they find the son and he pays accordingly. He wanted to act tough and take a persons life, he should pay the consequences and take it like a man.
im just saying says
Mike, I agreed with you up until you said why did he get through backgrounds if his dad is not a citizen. The application only mandates the applicant to be a citizen. Google what Ellis island is famous for, all our families are in different generations, but we almost all started the same (exception: Native Americans). Why you didnt make it through the process, I cant answer that, but the color of your skin was not the reason. I see many of my law enforcement brothers and we all carry different shades of skin, my skin tone is light. I also continually see a mixture of new hires as well. In regards to females, I agree, their is more females out on the street pushing a black and white, want to know why? We need them, their is women criminals too, we need more qualified cops and they made it through. Besides the few female partners I’ve worked with are way better than my non female partners…im just saying.
Ive seen it all says
Somehow, this thread turned into racial comments. I wish people would remember this. The current make up of the LAPD is, 65% Hispanic, 31% white, and 4% other than. That’s just like the make up of America right now. You have a perceived Black President who’s almost entire cabinet is Non White. Legislators from City Government all the way to the Federal Government are not White.
So why does e<eryone still scream Racism? White people aren't running anything anymore. How can people still claim the color of their skin did them in. If anything, whites should start claiming that.
No More says
So that is why LAPD is twisted and corrupt! killing homeless, and not rendering aid?!….the whole Rampart Scandal years ago, the rapist LAPD….should I go on???….the LAPD should be shut down!! they have a horrible Reputation and track record!!
CommonSense says
So just shut.down the LAPD huh No More? Yea that’s pretty smart, take down the one thing that(even if some are corrupt) keeps this city somewhat safe. People like you really blow my mind. You want protection yet at the same time, criticize the men and woman who risk their lives everyday. FOR YOU, No More. If you don’t like it then change it by becoming one and being a great example. This story is obviously not the norm. In life, you will always have good, and bad. Can’t get around that.
Christian says
The application requires the “applicant” to be a citizen not his family members. You’re a moron. JUST SAYING
Janet says
Being a Mexican is not the problem race has nothing to do but is a custom that we always try to hide a family member we ain’t no rats we will deal with it till the end
Ryan says
Well I know this is a horrible act and even the Mexican Police will be looking for him. I’m sure in exchange for other things. But as a father can you blame the guy? I am not saying what he did is right however if it was your son or daughter I think most would do anything to save their family. Now what I do find odd is as hard as it is to get into a Police department why was this guy hanging in a Pomona bar with low life’s etc. and the fact is how did he get through the background process with a illegal alien father? having seen the process first hand its over a year to get through backgrounds and it appears the father is rather shady. Now sad to say maybe due to my color of my skin I was subjected to far more while women and minorities processed in half the time.
Read says
Once again, reading comprehension. Where does it say his father was an illegal alien? It says he was not a U.S. citizen, which means he still could be a resident or non-resident alien.
Mike says
Oh, the Mexican police. Now there’s a top notch group. Let’s model our police here after the ones in Mexico. I guess hiring illegal aliens as police officers is the first step to doing that.
avmom says
@Mike you should look up the Fresno Deputy Chief maybe we should be more like him..
kk says
Again, where does it say an illegal alien was hired? Nowhere. Nor is anyone suggesting to model our police agencies to Mexican ones. Your ignorance to the topic is blatant.
Lol says
Libra, funny.
Mike says
Why did they let an illegal alien be a police officer?
libra says
Pendejo your comments are ignorant! !
david rodriguez says
no libra we are a threat to this country we must leave
all these latino males are signing their lives to cartels an south american gangs and thinking they belong to this nation we don not ceaser chavez would not accept this killings we commit and are drinking and chasing women and acting black im from the ceaser chavez age and this is sickning the goverment and fbi are the biggest satanic gang they have cameras and satelites and they cant be corrupted or threatned like we do our own goverment in mexico or other countries
No says
Are you serious? Did you comprehend anything you read? It seems like some people are so quick to give an ignorant, misinformed and racist comment that usually don’t understand what they’ve read and come up with a totally different conclusion from what the story states.
Racism equals hate says
Mike, why do they let white women teachers teach when all they want to do is rape under age boys all over the country?
CommonSense says
Ignorance at its finest right here ^
Danny says
Both are no better than dirt shoot them when they cross back
John says
Just shows Mexicans are loyal to their family more then our laws. The father should get the sentence the son is hiding from.
Nun says
Why dont they just shoot you instead ?