Colombian pastor convicted of sexual abuse arrested in Caracas after years on the run
The PNB arrested in Caracas an evangelical pastor from Colombia convicted of abusing his daughter, who had been evading Colombian justice for years.
Fugitive evangelical pastor from Colombia detained in Caracas by the PNB
Officers of the Bolivarian National Police (PNB) arrested on the night of 21 August a Colombian citizen convicted in his country of sexual abuse against his underage daughter, according to elpitazo.net. The man had been living in Caracas for years under a false identity and working as a pastor at a church in the capital municipality.
The operation began by chance around 10:00 p.m., when police officers stopped a man riding a motorcycle on the main avenue of Coche, to the west of Caracas, to issue him a fine for not wearing a helmet. Upon requesting his identity document and driving licence, the officers detected irregularities on the ID card, particularly in the photograph and signature.
The detainee had initially identified himself as Jorge Luis D'Lima Hernández, 49 years old. Facing the inconsistencies, he admitted that the document was false and attempted to negotiate with the officers to avoid being presented to the authorities, according to the police report. He was arrested for forgery and falsification of documents.
Already in custody, he revealed his true identity: Omifer Peña Muñoz, a Colombian citizen with a sentence of approximately 17 years for sexual abuse against his own daughter, who was 14 years old at the time of the crime. According to Revista Semana, cited by elpitazo.net, Peña Muñoz had worked as a pastor at a Christian church in Neiva, in the Colombian department of Huila.
Venezuelan authorities indicated that the man left Colombia in 2016, after being reported by his own family. It is presumed that he entered Venezuela irregularly that same year. The judicial report notes that the abuses are believed to have begun when the victim was only 11 years old, during family holidays in the La Rioja sector.
In Caracas, the fugitive did not keep a low profile. At the time of his arrest, he stated that he had just concluded a religious service at a church in El Valle, where he worked as principal pastor. He also reported that he lived on the fifth floor of a building in the San Isidro Residences, in the Quinta Crespo neighbourhood, in the city centre.
The case was referred to Prosecution 47 for Serious Crimes in the Metropolitan Area of Caracas. Venezuelan justice will need to coordinate with Colombia regarding the eventual extradition of the defendant through Interpol.
Source: Google News VE — Caracas