‘Wanted’ fugitive arrested in Mexico

COUPEVILLE, Wash. – Authorities said Friday a fugitive featured on “America’s Most Wanted” charged with murder in a 2003 homicide on Whidbey Island has been arrested in Mexico.

James Huden, 57, is accused of killing 31-year-old Russel Douglas, who was found fatally shot in a car in Freeland, Wash., the day after Christmas in 2003.

Huden, who grew up on Whidbey Island at Clinton and had moved to Florida, was visiting the island at the time of the killing.

Island County sheriff’s detectives went to Florida in August 2004 to question Huden. The investigation was interrupted by Hurricanes Charley and Frances.

Island County Prosecutor Greg Banks said Friday that Huden was charged with murder in 2005.

Banks and the Charlotte County sheriff’s office in Punta Gorda, Fla., said Huden was arrested Thursday in the southern Mexico city of Vera Cruz and held for extradition to Coupeville, a process that could take weeks or months. Huden has not yet appeared in court, Banks said.

An “America’s Most Wanted” feature on Huden first aired in July 2008.