A man arrested in Clay County is believed to be a man wanted on warrants in Daviess County. He’s being described by the Brazil Times newspaper as a “mystery man”. Authorities say he’s used several aliases in recent arrests and run-ins with police.
The Brazil Assistant Police Chief says an investigation began in Greencastle when an employer there said a female employee from Brazil was getting text messages from a man identified as Jose Figuero. The texts, according to the report, included disturbing images of human mutilation and a stash of weapons. Some texts also showed Figuero firing weapons from a moving vehicle. Assistant Chief Dennis Archer added that Figuero claimed to be with the mafia. An investigation led to an address in Seelyville which police staked out to observe activity. In one text the name Erick was used.
It was later learned that Jose Figuero was an alias used by a man from Terre Haute also known as Erick Padraza. Daviess County authorities told Brazil Police that they were interested in Padraza who was wanted on warrants and the man went by other names including Juan Ortiz and Eric Hernandez.
The warrants include charges of firearms possession, battery, invasion of privacy and driving while intoxicated.
All of the names match photos in videos sent through text messages by the “mystery man”.
The man was taken into custody without incident at the Seelyville address and is being detained pending further investigation.
Authorities say he could be brought to Daviess County to face warrants here or he may be deported.
