Suspected Child Molester Captured in Nicaragua

Fugitive Deported to Face Charges

Following a five-month-long effort by special agents of the U.S. State Department’s Diplomatic Security Service (DSS), the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Nicaraguan National Police to locate and capture him, alleged child molester Stanley Melvin Long, was arrested Aug. 16 in Nicaragua along the border with Costa Rica.

Long is wanted by the Columbia County, Washington Sheriff’s Office on charges of third-degree rape of a child and 57 related criminal charges.

The suspect also is wanted by the FBI on a charge of unlawful flight to avoid prosecution for having fled to Central America.

Diplomatic Security special agents assigned to the U.S. Embassy in Managua began looking for Long in March, after the FBI notified them that Long was believed to be traveling in Costa Rica and Nicaragua.

The special agents used their extensive contacts with the Nicaraguan National Police (NNP) to have law enforcement officials monitor border crossings and areas within Nicaragua frequented by U.S. citizens.

On Aug. 16, the NNP notified Diplomatic Security that they had apprehended Long at the Peñas Blancas border crossing on the Nicaraguan-Costa Rican border.

After DSS special agents in Managua confirmed that the suspect had outstanding U.S. arrest warrants, Nicaraguan immigration authorities deported Long to the United States, with DSS coordinating the deportation with other U.S. law enforcement authorities, including the U.S. Marshals Service and the FBI.

Upon returning to the United States, Long is to be transported to Columbia County Washington, to face trial on the pending charges.

“Thanks to the diligence of the DSS and FBI, this case we have been working since 2003 may finally come to a close. We hope that this will finally bring closure to the victims involved,” said Columbia County Sheriff Walter J. Hessler.

Gregory B. Starr, Director of the Diplomatic Security Service, praised the cooperation DS has received from other law enforcement agencies in locating and returning Long to the United States.

“Diplomatic Security’s Regional Security Office in Nicaragua maintains an excellent working relationship with the Nicaraguan National Police, who worked diligently with DS to locate Long, thus enabling his capture,” said Director Starr. “Our special agents in Managua also have great cooperation with the FBI Legal Attaché in Panama City, which permitted a rapid return of this fugitive from U.S. justice.”

“It’s this type of close worldwide law enforcement liaison capability that gives Diplomatic Security unparalleled ability to pursue, locate, and apprehend fugitives,” he said.

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.

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