State Department Special Agents Aid in Costa Rican Capture of Fugitive Pedophile

A fugitive for over two years, Felipe Gavino Barrera of Polk County, Florida, was returned today to the U.S. to face charges. Barrera was arrested June 7 in Jaco, Costa Rica, by members of the Fuerza Publica and Costa Rican Interpol as a result of a manhunt conducted by Special Agents of the U.S. State Department’s Diplomatic Security Service (DSS). Barrera is among the top most-wanted fugitives in Polk County from April 2005 charges of lewd and lascivious battery against a minor child.

Upon receiving a tip from a local source relating Barrera’s whereabouts, DSS Special Agents at the U.S. Embassy in San Jose pursued the lead which resulted in the arrest. Barrera is being held in Miami for transportation to Polk County.

“Diplomatic Security’s regional security office in San Jose maintains an excellent working relationship with local law enforcement personnel, thus enabling their capture,” said Pat Donovan, Assistant Director of the Diplomatic Security Service, “It’s this type of close, worldwide law enforcement liaison capability that gives Diplomatic Security unparalleled ability to locate, pursue and apprehend fugitives.”

“Protecting the children of Polk County is our top priority. We appreciate the hard work the U.S. Department of State did in bringing this fugitive to justice,” said Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd.

Because the U.S. State Department’s Bureau of Diplomatic Security (DS) is the most widely represented law enforcement organization in the world, the capability to track and capture fugitives who have fled U.S. jurisdiction to avoid prosecution is unmatched. During 2006, DS assisted in the resolution of 126 international fugitive cases. Fugitives were tracked, located, and apprehended in a total of 47 different countries in every region of the world. Many of these fugitive captures are the result of the outstanding work of Foreign Service national investigators who work shoulder-to-shoulder with DSS Special Agents at posts worldwide.

The Bureau of Diplomatic Security is the U.S. Department of State’s law enforcement and security arm. The special agents, engineers, and security professionals of the Bureau are responsible for the security of 285 U.S. diplomatic missions around the world. In the United States, Diplomatic Security personnel protect the U.S. Secretary of State and high-ranking foreign dignitaries and officials visiting the United States, investigate passport and visa fraud, and conduct personnel security investigations. More information about the U.S. Department of State and the Bureau of Diplomatic Security may be obtained at www.state.gov/m/ds.

Contact:
L. Kendal Smith
571-345-2509
SmithLK2@state.gov