DETROIT (WWJ) - An alleged child rapist, on the run for over a decade, has been arrested in Mexico.
Federal authorities say 41-year-old Corey Deshawn Gaston was taken into custody by Mexican authorities Tuesday near Guadalajara, after U.S. Marshals developed information regarding his possible location.
Gaston, who appeared on the Marshals' "Top 15 Most Wanted" list, was sought on charges that he kidnapped and raped a little girl in Detroit.
He was wanted by the Detroit police on charges of first- and second-degree criminal sexual conduct involving a child under 13, kidnapping, home invasion and child enticement.
“Corey Gaston is every parent’s worst nightmare,” said Acting U.S. Marshal Mark Jankowski of the Eastern District of Michigan.“While he was on the run for more than 10 years, the Marshals considered it borrowed time, because we never stopped looking for him. I hope his arrest brings some sense of closure to the victim and her family who had to endure years of him eluding justice.”
On June 27, 2007, police say Gaston crawled through a bedroom window of a home on Detroit's west side and abducted a 10-year-old girl. He took her to a nearby ally where he sexually assaulted her, according to investigators, threatening to hurt her if she screamed before instructing her to return home.
Police found Gaston’s phone and unknown DNA at the scene of the crime. Within days of the attack, a warrant was issued for Gaston’s arrest, but he was nowhere to be found.
A U.S. Marshals Task Force tracked Gaston down in Georgia, and returned him to Michigan in July of 2007. A month later, a judge allowed Gaston to post bond until his February 2008 trial. During that time, investigators were able to positively match a DNA sample given by Gaston to the DNA found at the crime scene.
When his 2008 pretrial date came around, Gaston didn’t show up.
The fugitive investigation for Gaston gained momentum when U.S. Marshals followed up on a lead in connection with the fugitive’s possible whereabouts. Marshals’ investigators were then able to work with Mexican authorities, who located and took him into custody.
“It brings great satisfaction when we make an arrest like this,” said U.S. Marshals Service Director Donald Washington. “Corey Gaston’s alleged horrific crimes earned him a spot on our 15 Most Wanted list. From that point forward, he was put on notice that we would never stop looking for him. We made good on that promise. Gaston will now finally face justice. I am very proud of the men and women of the USMS who relentlessly pursue the likes of Corey Gaston.”
Gaston is currently being held in a detention facility in Chicago awaiting extradition back to Michigan where he still has a pending trial.