A fugitive of more than three decades who was accused of molesting a young child in Florida was finally captured in a tiny town in New York’s Catskills region Wednesday.
Joseph Michaels, 68, used a series of fake identities as he settled in the small town of Cochecton in Sullivan County — and even attempted to pass off an alias when US Marshals Service closed in on him, the federal law enforcement agency said.
In 1989, the alleged pervert was hit with charges of lewd and lascivious molestation of a child under 12, sexual battery and sexual activity with a child by the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office, leading Michaels to flee the Sunshine State, the Marshals said.
Then just last month, the sheriff’s office requested the US Marshals get involved in the case, while the NYPD and Manhattan District Attorney’s Office also assisted.
New York/New Jersey Regional Fugitive Task Force members in the Hudson Valley cultivated intel on Michaels’ location, the agency said.
When authorities first approached Michaels in Cochecton — a town with a population of just 1,500 — he tried to claim he was someone else before admitting his true identity, the Marshals said.
“While this arrest comes decades after the alleged crimes occurred, it represents an important step toward justice,” said Ricky Patel, the acting marshal for the Southern District of New York.
“Cases involving crimes against children are never forgotten, and our agencies remain committed to pursuing those responsible no matter how much time has passed.”
Michaels remains in the Empire State ahead of extradition back to Florida.
“Even after more than three decades, this arrest demonstrates that time does not erase the seriousness of crimes committed against children,” said Jhovanny Gomez, the commander of the NY/NJ RFTF Task Force.
