An 82-year-old Arizona fugitive wanted over alleged child sex offences has been arrested in Texas after a deputy constable linked him to an outstanding warrant following a routine traffic stop.
Jesse Rodriguez was detained on 4 September in Bexar County, near San Antonio, and is being held in jail while he awaits extradition to Maricopa County, Arizona. He faces felony allegations of sexual conduct with a minor and child molestation.
The case began on 12 August, when Deputy Constable Nathan Carrizales stopped a driver for a minor traffic violation. A computer alert suggested the man could be wanted in Maricopa County, but details on his driving licence and Social Security number did not match the information held by Arizona authorities.
The driver identified himself as Jesus Ruben Rodriguez. He reportedly acknowledged having lived in an Arizona trailer park around the time of the alleged offences, but denied any criminal involvement. With his identity unconfirmed, deputies issued him with a written warning and allowed him to leave.
Deputy Carrizales continued investigating and sought further information from officials in Maricopa County. On 3 September, Arizona investigators supplied an alias linked to the wanted man, enabling the Texas deputy to confirm that the motorist he had stopped weeks earlier was Jesse Rodriguez.
Deputies went to Rodriguez’s home the following day and found him outside doing yard work. According to the Bexar County Constable’s Office, he admitted knowing about the Arizona warrant, confirmed his real name and said he had been a fugitive for nearly 20 years.
Court records indicate that Rodriguez entered no-contest pleas in January 2007 to attempted sexual conduct with a child, attempted child molestation and indecent exposure. The alleged offences were recorded as having taken place in July 2003.
The Maricopa County Attorney’s Office told local media that Rodriguez failed to appear for sentencing in February 2007 and had remained at large ever since. He is now due to face the Arizona proceedings after the extradition process is completed.
