Alleged Child Predator Arrested

Albuquerque, NM - On 12/09/2013 a 2nd Judicial District of the State of New Mexico issued a warrant for Michael Perez on 6 counts of criminal sexual penetration of a minor; 3 counts of kidnapping; 3 counts of intimidation of a witness; tampering with evidence; 7 counts of contributing to the delinquency of a minor.

The United States Marshals Service South West Investigative Fugitive Team (SWIFT) task force adopted the case on 12/09/2013. Investigators developed information that the subject may be living in Tulsa, OK. United States Marshals Service Deputies in Oklahoma confirmed Perez had been in Tulsa, but fled to Colorado in October 2013. Investigators began searching for ties in Colorado, and developed information that Perez was possibly in Colorado Springs. Again the Marshals Service in New Mexico reached out to its counter parts in Colorado. U.S. Marshals Service Deputies in Colorado found information that led them to believe Perez had been living there with his girlfriend and their child, but had left in early December. Investigators were able to now identify Perez’s girlfriend and believed she had ties in Las Cruces.

Deputies and task force officers were able to find Perez’s girlfriend but not Perez. Deputies knowing they were close didn’t stop. Perez’s mother in Artesia was interviewed and claimed no knowledge of her son’s whereabouts, but shortly after the mother’s interview Perez turned himself in to the Artesia Police Department. Perez was taken into custody and booked on the warrant. He is pending extradition back to Bernalillo County to face his charges.

Conrad Candelaria commented on the arrest “with unwavering commitment, the fugitive task force remained on the investigative trail of an elusive and dangerous fugitive. The Marshals task force and its many law enforcement partners from throughout multiple jurisdictions coalesced investigative efforts to track and pursue a child predator, because every law enforcement agency embraces the priority of protecting the most precious and vulnerable---- our children”.