A man from Hamilton who has been evading authorities since 1991 was apprehended by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in California recently. Charles Peter Billone, aged 64, allegedly failed to attend court proceedings after being released on bail 35 years ago. Initially arrested in 1991 on charges of sexual assault and sexual interference, ICE revealed in a statement on August 4 that Billone was sought in Canada for sexual assault against a minor and had a criminal record including theft, assault, and drug offenses.
Hamilton police disclosed in 2014 that Billone had managed to escape capture by assuming a new identity, making it challenging for law enforcement to locate him through conventional methods. ICE stated in their communication that Billone is currently detained pending deportation proceedings.
Despite reaching out to Hamilton police for comments, CBC Hamilton did not receive an immediate response.
