U.S. Marshals Dominican Republic Foreign Field Office Unit Takes Into Custody Fugitive on the Run 34 Years

Washington, DC – The U.S. Marshals Dominican Republic Foreign Field Office (DRFFO) Fugitive Investigative Unit Jan. 25 took into custody a man who absconded and failed to appear for his sentencing hearing in 1989 in El Segundo, California.

Henry Perea Jr. had pleaded guilty Feb. 28, 1989, to charges of felony rape and sexual battery in El Segundo before fleeing the U.S. 

On Dec. 20, 2023, the Regional Security Office (RSO) in Santo Domingo notified the DRFFO that Perea had submitted a passport application via mail and that he was residing in the Dominican Republic. After consulting with U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) Central District of California and the El Segundo Police Department, it was confirmed that the warrant was still active, and the USMS adopted the case. 

With the assistance of the RSO investigators, Perea was scheduled for an appointment with the consular section to retrieve his U.S. passport in person. Perea confirmed his identity by providing identifying information and admitted that he was the individual in the 1989 El Segundo Police Department booking photo. 

He was deported to the U.S. Jan. 26.

U.S. Marshals work with the international law enforcement community to apprehend fugitives abroad as well as to seek foreign fugitives living or residing in the U.S. The Marshals protect the public from international fugitives through coordinated enforcement efforts with foreign and domestic law enforcement.

Four U.S. Marshals foreign field offices, a foreign law enforcement training program and an international liaison program coordinate these enforcement efforts. The agency also maintains liaison positions with INTERPOL Washington, the Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs and the Department of State Diplomatic Security Service.

In fiscal year 2022, the Marshals closed 1,496 transnational fugitive investigations requiring investigative coordination with 125 countries and territories. The Marshals conducted 720 removals, including extraditions, foreign extraditions, deportations and expulsions, through coordination with 52 foreign nations.

The Marshals provide assistance, expertise and training on fugitive matters to federal, state, local and international agencies.

Source: U.S. Marshals Service, usmarshals.gov