56-year-old American fled US after allegedly raping two minors in 2017 and 2019
A 56-year-old American fugitive who fled Texas to the United States for allegedly raping two minors, one of whom was his daughter, in 2017 and 2019 will appear in the Gkebaraha Magistrate's Court on Wednesday.
was a man Arrested on Wednesday last week by Interpol and the South African Police Service (SAPs) at his home in Kabega Park, Gqeberha.
He appeared briefly in court on Friday, where the state indicated it would oppose any bail plea.
American rape-suspect and fugitive
In 2017, the victim's mother reported the attack to the San Antonio Police Department in Texas.
Additionally, according to reports from the American publication ksat, The person was absconding since May 2019 After the indictment is filed.
The indictment detailed that the suspect sexually assaulted the child through physical force and contact.
SAPS spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Amanda Van Wyk said, according to the Interpol report, the suspect also shared explicit text messages with her during the period when she was 12 years old.
Eastern Cape being explored
After the San Antonio Police Department completed its investigation, the suspect fled the US and was traced to Eastern Cape, South Africa.
According to police, the US Embassy in Cape Town contacted the Nelson Mandela Bay Detective Task Team in 2024 for help locating the suspect.
“Interpol National Central Bureau (NCB) Pretoria located the suspect and executed a Section 5(1)(b) warrant upon receipt of an extradition request from the USA, with support from the Nelson Mandela Bay District Intervention Task Team, Crime Combating Unit and Mount Road Crime Intelligence,” Van Wyk said.
He is expected to face an extradition application by the United States government to the Republic of South Africa.