U.S. sex offender busted in Punta Gorda

Another U.S. fugitive has been caught in Belize and sent back home. His name is Kevin Daniel Murphy, a resident of Utah. Here’s how his local television station reported the apprehension over the weekend.

Many who have been here call Belize one of the most beautiful places on the planet; a little slice of heaven on earth. Spectacular beaches, blue skies, near perfect weather, Kevin Daniel Murphy apparently believed it would be a perfect getaway. The only problem for Murphy, He was running away from the Utah Department of Corrections.

Agent Rick Simonelli, U.S. Marshals Service/JCAT Team
“Sexual assault against a minor. He’s a pretty violent sexual predator.”

Murphy served prison time for his crimes and was released on parole last summer. But just a few weeks later, this registered sex offender disappeared. The department of corrections made him one of their top fifteen most wanted fugitives. The U.S. Marshals JCAT team also got involved.

Agent Rick Simonelli
“We developed information that mister Murphy had fled to Belize island country trying to avoid U.S. authorities.”

Working through their international office, marshal agents confirmed that Murphy was in Central America and already in police custody.

Agent Rick Simonelli
“He was arrested in Belize for travelling to the country under a false name and without papers.”

Murphy now has a one way ticket back to Utah and reservations at the state prison.

Agent Rick Simonelli
“This just shows that they can’t hide out in another country and that if we can catch them. They will be extradited back.”

Murphy entered Belize in October and took up residence in Punta Gorda, where he free lanced as a computer technician. About three weeks ago, a police patrol in that southern town saw the disheveled looking foreigner in the company of some locals and asked him for some I.D. He told P.G. police that he was robbed while coming through Mexico. According to officer in charge Noel Leal, at the station he produced suspicious looking U.S. identification in the name of Daniel Kevin Murray, one of several aliases he had used. “Murray” was charged with illegal entry and when unable to pay his fine, was sentenced to three months in prison. An initial check by the U.S. embassy found nothing out of the way, but a week later the embassy discovered the outstanding warrant and informed Belize police. An expulsion order was issued and Murphy was put on a plane to Houston on Saturday where he was greeted by U.S. Marshals.