Olympic Boxer Faces Death Penalty Over Alleged Kidnapping, Murder Of Pregnant Girlfriend

Lightweight boxer Felix Verdejo was arrested by the FBI on Sunday and charged with kidnapping resulting in death, carjacking resulting in death and intentionally killing an unborn child. 

As first reported by ESPN, Verdejo is facing federal charges after the body of 27-year old Keishla Rodriguez was found in a lagoon in Puerto Rico. The kidnapping and carjacking charges could carry a death sentence penalty, and the intentional killing of an unborn child could warrant life in prison. 

While Puerto Rico does not have the death penalty as a form of punishment, it can be invoked in cases involving federal charges.

Rodgriguez and Verdego had known each other from a young age and had maintained a relationship over the years, according to reports. Rodriguez was reportedly pregnant with Verdejo’s child, and had called her mother to tell her that Verdejo was coming to her house for the results of a pregnancy test before disappearing on Thursday. 

Rodriguez was reported missing on Thursday after she didn’t show up for her job. According to the Associated Press, “A criminal complaint filed by the FBI accuses Verdejo of punching Rodríguez in the face and injecting her with a syringe filled with an unidentified substance bought at a public housing complex. It alleges he then bound her arms and feet with wire, tied a heavy block to her before throwing her off a bridge at 8:30 a.m. Thursday and then shot at her body.”

“Puerto Rico mourns Keishla Rodríguez’s death. Our deepest condolences to her family and friends,” said Alexis Torres, Secretary of the Department of Public Safety. “The Puerto Rico Police Bureau and the federal agencies have worked long hours collaborating as a team to solve this cold murder expeditiously.  Our police officers’ dedication, passion and experience were essential in solving this murder in 48 hours.  It demonstrates how the collaboration of efforts is essential for our public safety. We’ll keep on working together and we will seek justice for Keishla.” 

“We are proud of the work done by each of the Justice Department prosecutors, who worked day and night together with the team of the Puerto Rico Police Bureau and the Institute of Forensic Sciences to gather all the pieces that allow the prosecution of those responsible for the crime,” said Domingo Emanuelli, Secretary of the Puerto Rico Department of Justice. “We trust that the work of our prosecutors in this case will begin to restore the people’s trust in justice.” 

Verdejo was represented by “Top Rank,” which had promoted him since 2012. Though his page is no longer on their website, the promotional company did release a brief statement.

“Top Rank’s thoughts and prayers are with Keishla Marlen Rodriguez Ortiz’s family and friends, and with all those in mourning,” the statement read. “We are deeply disturbed by the news reports, and we will continue to monitor developments in the case as it progresses.”

Verdejo represented Puerto Rico in the 2012 Olympics and was 21-2 with 17 knockouts as a professional.

Joe Morgan is the Sports Reporter for The Daily Wire. Most recently, Morgan covered the Clippers, Lakers and the NBA for Sporting News.

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