PORTLAND — The U.S. Marshals Service Violent Offender Task Force said it has arrested Raymond Lester, 35, of Portland late Monday evening in Cancun, Mexico. Lester was wanted by Maine State Police on a warrant issued on June 21, 2022 for one count of murder. Lester was also being sought on a federal warrant issued on June 29, 2022 for Unlawful Flight to Avoid Prosecution.

Through a collective effort, investigators in Maine learned Lester had fled the U.S. and was in Cancun, Mexico, according to a news release from the Maine Dept. of Public Safety.

Mexican authorities in collaboration with the USMS Mexico Foreign Field,  took Lester into custody Monday evening without incident. Leseter arrived in Chicago July 21 and will be transferred to Maine, “most likely next week,” reported the release.

Lester was wanted for questioning concerning the death of Nicole Mokeme, 35, of South Portland, that occurred in Acadia National Park on the campus of the Schoodic Education and Research Center sometime between June 18 and June 19. The State Police had asked for the public’s help in locating a vehicle that may have been involved.

The USMS Maine Violent Offender Task Force was assisted by the Maine State Police, USMS Foreign Field Office – Mexico City, United States Attorney’s Office – District of Maine, USMS – Northern District of Illinois, U.S. Park Service and Mexican authorities.

The U.S. Marshals Service Maine Violent Offender Task Force is comprised of members of the U.S. Marshals Service, Maine State Police, Maine Department of Corrections, Biddeford Police Department and U.S. Customs and Border Patrol.

If you have any information regarding the whereabouts of any State or Federal Fugitive contact the United States Marshals Service, District of Maine at MED.TIPLINE@usdoj.gov