Thai police arrest Texas child sex abuse suspect

BANGKOK, Thailand — An American man wanted in Texas on child sex abuse charges was arrested Thursday in Thailand and could be sent to the U.S. within days, the district attorney's office in Houston said.

Confirming Thai reports, the Harris County, Texas district attorney's office said it was "aware" that Darren Ray Castleberry, 41, had been arrested in the Thai capital, Bangkok.

Scott Durfee, a spokesman for the office, told The Associated Press by phone from Houston that the process was already under way to extradite Castleberry to the United States, where he faces charges that could have him imprisoned for life.

"He could be on American soil as quickly as two days from now," said Durfee. who added that the prosecutor handling the case was well-versed in bringing back suspects from overseas and was ready to act "aggressively" on the matter.

Extradition can be a lengthy legal process in Thai courts, but the suspect can instead agree to be sent back or may simply be expelled by Thai authorities.

Castleberry is sought on four charges of aggravated sexual assault against a child, each of which carries a penalty of not less than five years and up to life in prison and a $10,000 fine, said Durfee. The charge applies to sexual assault on a child younger than 14 years of age.

He also faces two charges of sexual assault on a child between the ages of 14 and 17, for which the penalty is not less than two years and up to 20 years in prison, Durfee said.

The Web site of the Thai newspaper The Nation said Castleberry was arrested at a shop in Bangkok.

It cited police saying Castleberry had fled to Thailand in late 2006, and was being held at the Immigration Bureau jail.

Thai police contacted late Thursday by the AP were unfamiliar with the case.

Several Southeast Asian countries, including Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam, are popular with sex offenders and fugitives because of lax law enforcement and corruption in the justice system.

Comments

[DevotedToDarren]

Everyone who remembers what a good person Darren is. Everyone who he ever helped and was there for. Please step up. Where are all those people who he he sacraficed for, who he loved, who he has given his last money, his devotion and life? Where are all the "Grace" people? Waco? Are you going to allow bunch of spoiled kids to let this man down? Are you going to allow breaking news to blindfold you? Are you going to believe everything said on the news? If you still consider yourself as a Darren's friend, please write me at [e-mail].

[Dystopic]

i hope they hang the child rapist, and I hope they leave him hangin in the town square.

NO REST FOR CHILD RAPISTS.

At least he will be going to trial in Harris County, we LOVE to give child rapists the death sentence.

[Dystopic]

If he was INNOCENT why did he flee?

To Hell With Darren

[littlepuffycloud]

Yes, innocent child molesters alway flee to Thailand, right? Why are there always people like you who turn a blind eye to the worst type of criminal and insist the children are lying? Many criminals put up a good front, all the while continuing to rape or murder. You must be so proud to be devoted to this person; the worst type of criminal in the world.

[casteration4darren]

I cant beleive that a person would post such an unreal statement like the one from devotedtodarren. Thats just sick! A call to arms for child molesters. What a pathetic thing. I think the new name that i made for this poster after reading this article says it all. I hope that he rots.

[ObjectiveRealist]

Thank you, Thailand, and sorry he was issued a Passport and allowed to visit your beautiful country.

[Tatiana]

Glad they caught the SOB & hope he gets life but....
what's with the picture caption with the story.

[jake106]

Now if they could only try this piece of garbage in Thailand, under Thai rules, and then apply Thai punishment, it would be a sweet piece of news.

[SiberianRat]

No kidding--Thai prisons are grim! However, he might get a bit more extra justice on the inside in an American prison--they don't take to kindly to "chesters." When I visited Tailand many years ago, I was offered very young girls--was awful.

[jake106]

Good point. I wasn't thinking about the repercussions that he could receive from the prisoners. Maybe it is better he comes back to the States afterall.

[Dystopic]

I have heard that the hatred of child molesters is no longer what it was. Seems as though the new generation of criminals thinks that's it's ok to molest a child.