Wanted Costa Rican man removed from US

NEWARK, N.J. — A Costa Rican national wanted on an International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL) Red Notice for indecent assault, sexual abuse of a minor and corruption of minors in his native country was deported from the United States Wednesday by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) officers.

Gerardo Cajina-Badilla, 49, was removed to San Jose, Costa Rica, from Newark Liberty International Airport. Upon his arrival in San Jose, ERO officers turned him over to Costa Rican law enforcement authorities. He faces up to 15 years in prison for these offenses.

Cajina-Badilla was the subject of a Costa Rican arrest warrant and INTERPOL Red Notice since May 2006. He fled Costa Rica to avoid prosecution and entered the United States illegally in February 2005. He remained in the United States without authorization. Cajina-Badilla was placed in removal proceedings, and on June 15, 2005, an immigration judge ordered him removed from the United States in absentia. On July 26, 2011, ERO fugitive operations officers took Cajina-Badilla into custody at Newark Liberty International Airport. He has remained in ERO custody in New Jersey since his arrest.

"This removal demonstrates our resolute commitment to identify, arrest and remove those individuals who falsely believe they can escape legal issues in their home country by hiding out in ours," said John Tsoukaris, field officer director for ERO in Newark. "We will continue to cooperate with law enforcement authorities around the world to ensure that criminals face the consequences of their illegal actions."

INTERPOL is the world's largest international police organization with 188 member countries. It serves as a facilitator of international police cooperation.