Escape charges dropped against one of the men charged with murder of Wake County deputy Ned Byrd

Federal prosecutors have agreed to drop escape charges against one of the men charged with the murder of Wake County deputy Ned Byrd.

Alder Marin-Sotelo is in custody of the Mexican government awaiting extradition on other criminal charges.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office said it would drop Marin-Sotelo’s escape charges so he can return to the U.S. more quickly.

In May 2023, Marin-Sotelo escaped from a jail in Virginia. Authorities captured him in Mexico.

Byrd was killed on Aug. 11, 2022. An autopsy revealed he was shot four times. Byrd was 48 years old.

Marin-Sotelo and his brother, Arturo Marin-Sotelo, are charged in Byrd's murder. Prosecutors announced in September 2023 that they won't seek the death penalty against the two brothers.