Athens Man Arrested 30+ Years Later

A man wanted for a 1997 murder in Athens was arrested after nearly three decades as a fugitive.

The Athens Police Department, in collaboration with the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Fugitive Operation Team, arrested Bernabe Roman December 15th, 2024.

The 52-year-old Roman was wanted for the murder of Jose Salinas Gomez, who was killed December 25th, 1997, in Athens.

A grand jury in Limestone County issued an indictment warrant for Roman’s arrest in February 1998.

During the recent operation, authorities received information about Roman’s whereabouts and quickly obtained a search warrant for his residence in Athens.

Officers from both agencies, along with the Athens High-Risk Entry & Apprehension Team executed the warrant and successfully took Roman into custody.

Roman is currently in the Limestone County Jail.