Cops nab dentist convicted of rape
April 13, 2007
Adapted from CBSnews.com
A dentist on the run since his 2003 conviction for raping a 15-year-old female patient sedated in his office was arrested this week at a Mexican beach resort, authorities said.
The 51-year-old man was arrested without incident while on an outing with his family at a resort on the Yucatan Peninsula, said the chief deputy of the county sheriff's office.
He was taken to a Mexico City prison, where he was held on a provisional warrant. U.S. authorities plan to pursue extradition, although the chief deputy said that could take as long as six months.
During the trial, the girl said she was sedated and later awoke to find the former dentist assaulting her on a couch in his office. He was convicted of second-degree rape, assault, child abuse and sex offense charges.
He faced a possible 55-year prison term, and was out on bail awaiting sentencing. After he failed to show up for two court dates, authorities discovered he had disappeared along with his family and minivan.
A judge later issued an arrest warrant and revoked his $100,000 bond.
Six weeks ago, authorities found him living on a ranch that was enclosed by a 10-foot wall, the chief deputy said. He did not appear to be employed, and was not practicing dentistry. He left the compound regularly to take his children to school and had access to money he used for living expenses, authorities said.
"He had gotten somewhat comfortable," the chief deputy said.
The man’s lawyer said she had little information on his arrest.
She would not say if she had any contact with him during his flight, citing attorney-client confidentiality. But she said it was likely he panicked at the prospect of having his close-knit family split up by a prison term.
"I think this looks like an act of desperation that was all aimed at keeping his family whole," she said.
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