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FBI raises reward to $1 million in search for man charged in Chrys Carvajal killing
Joseph Matos, accused in the 2021 killing of Illinois Army National Guardsman Chrys Carvajal, has been added to the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted list. Investigators believe Matos may be hiding in the Chicago area and say he should be considered armed and dangerous.
The FBI has added Joseph Matos to its Ten Most Wanted list and raised its reward for information leading to his arrest and conviction to $1 million, as the search continues for a suspect in the 2021 killing of Illinois Army National Guardsman Chrys Carvajal.
Carvajal, 19, was shot after leaving a party in Chicago’s Belmont Cragin neighborhood over the Fourth of July weekend. He had recently returned home from Army National Guard basic training and was walking to his car, police said.
Federal prosecutors allege that Matos and Gary Roberson killed Carvajal to improve their standing in the Milwaukee Kings street gang. The two were indicted on racketeering charges in July 2024. Roberson is in custody awaiting trial; Matos remains a fugitive.
The FBI said Matos, 44, has connections to Dallas and California but is believed to be in the Chicago area. He is described as 6 feet 2 inches tall and about 220 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes. The agency says he has several tattoos, including “M-Town Kings” and “1300” on his neck, and considers him armed and dangerous. Anyone who helps conceal him could face criminal charges, the FBI said.
The reward had previously been $50,000. Carvajal’s family joined federal investigators to announce the increase and renew their call for information.
“Chrys was so much more than a name or a case,” his sister, Jennifer Ramirez, said. “Our family will never stop fighting for the justice Chrys deserves.”
FBI Chicago Special Agent in Charge Ryan Whalen said Carvajal had no criminal history or gang ties and was killed after being in the wrong place at the wrong time. He urged anyone with information about Matos to contact the agency.
Tips can be submitted anonymously by calling 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324) or online at tips.fbi.gov.