ATF Offers $10,000 Reward For Information On Unsolved Homicide

Investigators Seek Public's Help in Solving Murder

ROME, Ga., Oct. 5, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- On Jan. 9, 2010, masked gunmen entered the family home of Leapolde Cardenas, located in the 1900 block of  Burnett Ferry Road in Rome, Ga. Cardenas was not present at the time of the intrusion but his wife and juvenile children were in the house.  The assailants took control of Cardenas' wife and children and held them captive inside the residence until Cardenas arrived.

The family was held in a bedroom while Mr. Cardenas was forced at gunpoint to go to his wife's grocery store in the Rome area, known as Celia's Grocery.  Mr. Cardenas was then forced to go into the store's office and empty the safe.  He was then taken back to the residence where he was shot and killed. The other family members did not suffer any physical harm.

"In any investigation involving a homicide, it is important to help families who have suffered the tragic loss of a loved one bring closure to their loss," said Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Special Agent in Charge of the Atlanta Field Division Scott Sweetow. "As ATF continues its mission as the violent crime bureau, we will see to it these criminals are removed from our streets so that our communities remain a safe place to live and prosper."

In the years since his tragic death, detectives with the Floyd County Police Department along with agents from the ATF and the FBI have continued to investigate Cardenas' murder.  Unfortunately, the evidence gathered has led to few viable leads which prompted ATF to offer a $10,000 reward for information that leads to the arrest and prosecution of the responsible individual(s). 

ATF, the FBI and the Floyd County Police Department are seeking the public's assistance in identifying those responsible.  Anyone with information is encouraged to call ATF at (706) 614-1622 or call the ATF Hotline at 1-800-ATF-GUNS (800-283-4867). Callers can remain anonymous.

More information about ATF and its programs is available at www.atf.gov.

Contact: Special Agent Richard Coes, PIO
Cell: (404) 931-0988

SOURCE Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives