Tips Lead to the Quick Arrest of Fugitive of the Week

Concord, NH – The U.S. Marshals – New Hampshire Joint Fugitive Task Force is very pleased to announce the quick arrest of Nashua Police Department fugitive, Rafael Rivera, in Manchester, New Hampshire.

Rivera, 54 years-of-age was last known to be homeless in Nashua (NH) had just been featured this morning as this week's "Fugitive of the Week." Rivera was being sought by the Nashua Police Department for failing to register as a sex offender. Mr. Rivera was required to register as a sex offender after being convicted of aggravated felonious sexual assault on a child. Additionally, Rivera was being sought by the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office on a probation violation stemming from this same conviction for the aggravated felonious sexual assault.

The "Fugitive of the Week" feature was aired on WTPL-FM, WNTK-FM, WTSN-FM, WEMJ-FM, The Union Leader, The Nashua Telegraph, The Patch, Manchester Information, the Manchester Ink Link, The Rochester & Lebanon Voice and prominently featured on the internet. The "Fugitive of the Week" continues to be a very successful tool that has resulted in the location and arrest of over 500 fugitives since its implementation in 2007. Additionally, the "Fugitive of the Week" was also to be distributed statewide to all law enforcement officers in New Hampshire.

Shortly after the feature was released this morning, tips came into the U.S. Marshals office indicating that Rivera was around the area of the homeless shelter located on Manchester Street in Manchester, NH. Based on this information, members of the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force responded to the area and spotted Rivera on the corner of Manchester Street and Pine Street. Deputies approached Mr. Rivera, who immediately confirmed his identity and was placed under arrest without incident.

Rivera was transported to the Manchester Police Department for processing before to being transported to the Hillsborough County Jail where he will be held pending his court hearings on his two outstanding arrest warrants.

U.S. Marshal Nick Willard said, "We can never thank the tipsters enough who provide information that leads to the quick and safe arrests of dangerous fugitives like Mr. Rivera." Willard continued, "We greatly appreciate the public's support in making the streets of New Hampshire safer for all of us."

Since the inception of the U.S. Marshals - New Hampshire Joint Fugitive Task Force in 2002, these partnerships have resulted in over 8,218 arrests (Updated as of 12/16/2020). These arrests have ranged in seriousness from murder, assault, unregistered sex offenders, probation and parole violations and numerous other serious offenses. Nationally the United States Marshals Service fugitive programs are carried out with local law enforcement in 94 district offices, 85 local fugitive task forces, 8 regional task forces, as well as a growing network of offices in foreign countries.