World · Latin America · 3 hrs ago
US citizen wanted in Florida fraud cases detained in Yucatán
Mexican authorities detained Richard Panas in Mérida, Yucatán, on Wednesday.
Panas is a 68-year-old US citizen sought in Florida over fraud and identity theft.
US officials have issued four arrest warrants against him in connection with those crimes.
Mexican authorities said the arrest followed an investigation and information sharing, and that Panas could not show he was legally staying in Mexico.
He was taken to Mexico’s National Migration Institute to continue procedures with the relevant authorities.
The case comes amid cooperation between Mexican security, naval, investigative and migration agencies; fraud was the most common crime recorded in Yucatán in 2025.
Mexican authorities detained 68-year-old US citizen Richard Panas in Mérida, Yucatán.
Panas is wanted in Florida, where he has four arrest warrants related to fraud and identity theft.
Authorities said they detained him after he could not prove he was staying in Mexico legally.
He was transferred to the National Migration Institute for further procedures.
- Who
- Richard Panas, a 68-year-old US citizen.
- What
- Mexican authorities detained him. He has four arrest warrants in Florida related to fraud and identity theft.
- When
- Wednesday, October 28, 2026.
- Where
- Mérida, the capital of Yucatán, Mexico.
- Why
- Authorities said he could not prove his stay in Mexico was regular. He is also wanted in Florida in fraud and identity theft cases.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Mexican authorities conducted investigative work and exchanged information before setting up security perimeters in Mérida.
Authorities identified and detained Panas in Mérida after he could not prove his regular stay in Mexico.
Panas was transferred to the National Migration Institute for further procedures with the relevant authorities.
- Name
- Richard Panas
- Age
- 68
- Arrest warrants
- Four in Florida
- Location
- Mérida, Yucatán, Mexico
- Transfer
- National Migration Institute
2 sources
What people are saying
When they approached to verify his identity, they confirmed that he could not prove his regular stay in national territory, so they proceeded to detain him
Posts on X
En el marco de la cooperación interinstitucional, en #Mérida, #Yucatán, personal de @SEMAR_mx, #SSPC y @FGRMexico, en coordinación con el @INAMI_mx, detuvo a Richard “N”, de nacionalidad estadounidense, considerado objetivo prioritario para el gobierno de #EstadosUnidos, por su