On-the-run sex offender is nabbed crossing border

ARIZONA DAILY STAR

After spending three years on the run, a Tucson man who pleaded guilty to attempted sexual conduct with a minor was apprehended on Sunday as he entered the United States from Mexico, an official said Wednesday.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the Douglas port of entry, about 100 miles southeast of Tucson, encountered Francisco Castro Bustamante, 64, during the routine screening of those applying for admission into the country, said Brian Levin, a spokesman for the U.S. Customs and Border Protection field operations office.

Levin said Bustamante is a Mexican citizen with legal permanent residency in the United States, which means he has permission to live and work in this country.

While checking his name for connections to terrorist organizations, immigration violations or warrants, officers discovered he was wanted in Pima County, according to a press release from Customs and Border Protection. Bustamante failed to appear for sentencing after pleading guilty in 2003 to attempted sexual conduct with a minor in the second degree and preparatory dangerous crimes against children, according to the release.