Fugitive Wanted for Sex Offenses for Nearly Two Decades

Scranton, PA – Today, United States Marshal Martin J. Pane announced the U.S. Marshals Service has extradited Angel Emilio Colon from the Dominican Republic to the U.S.A. Colon is a 62-year-old man, formerly of Hazleton, who is charged with sex offenses alleged to have occurred in 2002.

On August 23, 2002, the Pennsylvania State Police (Hazleton barracks) charged Colon with sexual abuse of children after the discovery of photographs in Colon's possession that depicted a child in sexual positions. On September 17, 2002, the Hazleton Police Department charged Colon with rape, sexual assault, and indecent assault after a follow-up investigation of the photographs. Travel records revealed that Colon fled the U.S. to his native Dominican Republic, and in 2015 the U.S. Marshals Service adopted the fugitive case.

The U.S. Marshals Service, its fugitive task force partners, state troopers, and Hazleton detectives pursued leads for more than seven years. In December of 2020, their diligence paid off when the Dominican Republic authorities arrested Colon, pursuant to an extradition request submitted by the U.S. On August 26, Colon was extradited to the U.S.

"This arrest is the direct result of cooperation between U.S. and Dominican law enforcement authorities, to include the U.S. Marshals Service's International Branch," said U.S. Marshal Pane. "Additionally, the persistence of the personnel assigned to the Marshals Service Fugitive Task Force in the Middle District of Pennsylvania ensured this man was brought to justice. It is my sincere hope this arrest brings some measure of comfort to the victim and their family."

Luzerne County District Attorney Sam Sanguedolce issued a statement thanking the Dominican Republic's law enforcement officials, U. S. Marshal Martin Pane, and his deputies. "Criminals who think they can escape justice by fleeing the Commonwealth or even the country have repeatedly been proven wrong thanks to the cooperation among all law enforcement and especially thanks to the US Marshal's Fugitive Task Force. Regardless of how long it takes, we are glad we are able to continue to cooperate and pursue criminals to bring them to justice despite where they may be hiding," said District Attorney Sanguedolce.

The U.S. Marshals Service Fugitive Task Force in the Middle District of Pennsylvania is composed of 22 state, county, and local police agencies. Significant assistance was also provided by the Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs and Dominican law enforcement authorities.