A man from Hamilton who had been evading authorities since 1991 was apprehended by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in California earlier this month. Identified as Charles Peter Billone, now 64, he had failed to show up in court 35 years ago after being released on a recognizance. Initially arrested in 1991 on charges of sexual assault and sexual interference, ICE disclosed that Billone was sought in Canada for sexual assault involving a child and had past convictions for theft, assault, and drugs.
Hamilton police revealed in 2014 that Billone had successfully eluded capture by assuming a new identity, making him untraceable through conventional methods. ICE confirmed that Billone was currently in custody pending deportation proceedings. Jackie Penman, a spokesperson for the Hamilton police, stated they were collaborating closely with the Crown’s office on the case, clarifying that no extradition process was underway at the moment.