'This Was A Vicious, Violent Murder': Suspect In Pryor Cold Case Tops Oklahoma Most Wanted List

A man accused of beating a Pryor woman to death now tops the Oklahoma Attorney General's most wanted list. The incident occurred in 2004 and is the only cold case the Pryor Police have ever had.

Retired Pryor Assistant Police Chief Derek Melton remembers the night of Shelley Huffman's death well. “The images, what you see on the scene; those things never really fade away. They're there, and you can't get rid of them. They're there,” said Melton.

Huffman's ex-boyfriend Alfonso Mondragon has been on the run from police for nearly 20 years. He was 29 at the time of the murder and would be almost 50 today. Investigators believe he has been hiding in Mexico but still returns to the United States regularly.

“It was a violent, brutal death. He's going to reoffend. It's not a matter of if. He's going to do it again,” Melton said.

Huffman was babysitting at a home off Oklahoma Street in Pryor when police believe Mondragon brutally beat her to death. Friends told police he had a history of abusing Shelley, but it was never reported. “Mondragon started off with choking her or maybe striking her, and ultimately ended up murdering this girl, for what? Probably nothing. Just in a fit of rage,” said Melton.

Current Pryor Police Chief Jeremy Cantrell has made it his mission to close this case and called the Oklahoma Attorney General's office for help. “To get, you know, fresh eyes on it, and somebody back after this guy, you know, is huge. It's a big win for the department; it's a big win for the family. You know, 20 years is too long,” said Chief Cantrell.

The Attorney General is offering $10,000 to anyone who can lead to Mondragon's arrest.

Related: 'Find Them And Bring Them In:' Attorney General Gentner Drummond Launches Top 10 Most Wanted List