Suspects face charges from rape to murder

The search has lasted more than two years for a person Franklin County officials say shot and killed another man in August 2005.

Authorities, however, don't plan to stop looking anytime soon.

In fact, deputies continue to do all they can to try and locate the person they say is responsible.

"Every lead we've gotten, every call we've received, we've followed up on," said Franklin County Sheriff Larry Plott.

"You have to because you never know which call may be the one that opens that door that leads to the arrest," added Franklin County District Attorney Joey Rushing.

The person authorities are trying to locate is 32-year-old Vincente "Vichola" Soto, who is wanted in connection with the shooting death of Dionicio Bahena, 31, of Russellville. Arrest warrants were issued for Soto on Aug. 7, 2005.

Soto is just one of several people whom area law enforcement are looking for on outstanding felony warrants. Those searches have gone nationwide.

The searches for Soto, along with 45-year-old Richard Allen Sloan, a convicted sex offender who walked off from a Lauderdale County Work Release Center on Feb. 8, 2007, have been featured on "America's Most Wanted."

Officials say each time the cases are publicized, new information comes forward, but so far neither man has been found.

"We got calls, a lot of calls, after the show aired, that (Sloan) was in the Huntsville area," Lauderdale County Sheriff Ronnie Willis said. "So far, we haven't been able to locate him, but we'll continue to work the leads and hopefully get this man off the streets."

Soto and Sloan lead the list of the Shoals' most-wanted criminals.

That list includes individuals wanted for a range of charges, including rape to escape to conspiracy to trafficking a controlled substance to theft and burglary charges.

Soto, however, remains the most high-profile case and tops the area's most-wanted list.

Franklin County officials said a fugitive-from-justice and murder warrants for Soto's arrest were issued just hours after authorities said Soto shot Bahena outside a residence on Franklin 48.

Given the circumstances, Plott has said Soto should be considered armed and dangerous.

"We've done everything in our power to find him," Rushing said.

Franklin County officials say they continue to receive information from time to time on Soto and his possible whereabouts, but nothing has materialized.

FBI agents are assisting in the search, and investigators say they continue to receive information after Soto's profile aired on "America's Most Wanted."

Investigators said Soto is originally from Mexico but had been living in Franklin County for about 10 years at the time of the shooting.

Rushing and Plott said some people believe Soto is traveling back and forth between Franklin County and Mexico. Also, information has been obtained that he has been seen in other states, including Ohio and Illinois.

Department officials said the shooting was the result of a "lovers' triangle" involving Soto, Bahena and 16-year-old Sharleen Rae Hernandez.

Authorities said Soto and Hernandez lived at Greg's Trailer Park on Franklin 48, just east of Russellville.

The shooting took place outside their residence.

Bahena, who lived about a half-mile west of the residence, reportedly went to the trailer park to meet Hernandez.

Investigators said when the victim pulled up to the residence, Soto came out of the residence and started shooting into Bahena's car.

Officials said the victim was shot several times and died a short time later at Russellville Hospital.

"Any case involving death, the victim's family wants some closure and justice in the case," Rushing said. "Until that happens, they can't move on with their lives."

Plott said the case is still active and will continue to be until Soto is caught and brought to trial.

Anyone with information on any of the Shoals' most wanted is asked to call CrimeStoppers at 386-8685 or their local law enforcement office.

Tom Smith can be reached at 740-5757 or tom.smith@timesdaily.com.