FRESNO (KMJ) – A sex offender is captured in Oregon after being on the run for 23 years.
Back in 1993, Arturo Rangel pled guilty and was to spend seven years in prison for Lewd or Lascivious Acts with a minor under 14, and child molestation.
He was let out on a Cruz Waiver – which allows a defendant to be released from jail to address personal matters before appearing at their sentencing. Rangel skipped out on his court date and became a fugitive until this past July.
On July 20th, 2016, the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office received an anonymous tip that Rangel was living in Oregon at a home in Coos County. The information was given to a sheriff’s detective who is assigned to the US Marshal Service Pacific Southwest Regional Fugitive Task Force. His investigation revealed a possible address for Rangel in Myrtle Point, Oregon.
On August 23rd, 2016, Deputy US Marshals went to a home on the 99000 block of Sitkum Lane in Myrtle Point, found Rangel and arrested him. He was taken to the Coos County Jail for holding until he could be transported to Fresno.
On September 9th, 2016, Fresno County Sheriff’s deputies booked 55 year old Arturo Rangel into the Fresno County Jail on felony charges of lewd and lascivious acts with a child under 14. Earlier in the day, deputies traveled to the Coos County Jail in Oregon to take Rangel into custody and bring him back to the Valley.
A further look into Rangel’s criminal history showed that in 1986 he was arrested and convicted in Oregon of forcible rape with violence and possession of a concealed firearm. He served time in prison until 1989, and following his release, Rangel moved to Fresno.
