American fugitive wanted in Mississippi for sex offences is arrested in the Philippines
An American fugitive wanted in Mississippi over alleged sex offences has been arrested in the Philippines.
John Raymond Fenty, 62, was being investigated over the alleged sexual battery of a mentally incapacitated adult when he fled the US before search warrants could be executed.
He had entered the Philippines as a tourist on July 21 and tried to obtain a visa extension until November 18.
But Philippine immigration officers tracked him down to a rented home in expat haven Cebu following coordination with US authorities.
He was arrested in Barangay Buaya, just 10 minutes away from the Mactan-Cebu International Airport, on September 24.
Footage shows personnel from the Bureau of Immigration (BI) Fugitive Search Unit detaining the American, who refused to identify himself as he was placed in handcuffs.
He was taken into custody and is now facing deportation proceedings.
The BI said he has been placed on an immigration blacklist, preventing him from returning to the country.
In a statement, the BI said: 'Fenty was temporarily detained at the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) office in Mandaue City pending his transfer to the BI Warden's Facility in Bicutan, Taguig City.
'The BI reiterates its continued coordination with foreign law enforcement agencies in locating and apprehending fugitives in the Philippines and facilitating appropriate immigration action in accordance with Philippine law and due process.'
The arrest followed a request from the US government through the US Embassy in Manila after investigators learned Fenty had left America and travelled to the Philippines.
Kemper County authorities in Mississippi opened a probe into Fenty on July 13, over alleged sexual battery of a mentally incapacitated adult.
They obtained search warrants for two properties linked to Fenty, before a SWAT team from the Lauderdale County Sheriff's Office raided a residence in Lauderdale County on September 5.
Kemper County deputies also searched a second property on Rossie Coats Road in Kemper County. They reportedly seized a significant amount of digital evidence, which was sent to the Mississippi Attorney General's Office for forensic examination.
But authorities discovered Fenty had already fled the US and travelled to the Philippines before the searches were carried out.
The investigation was then expanded to include federal and international law enforcement agencies.
Kemper County Sheriff James Moore thanked the agencies involved in tracking down the suspect.
