Post by HeadMarshal on Jul 22, 2014 18:38:02 GMT -5
Hamilton police are asking for help from the public to find a man wanted for more than 22 years in a child sexual abuse case.
Charles Peter Billone, 53, has been on the run since December 1991, when he failed to turn up at court to face charges that included two counts of sexual assault and two counts of sexual interference. He hasn't been seen since.
"It's as if he almost doesn't exist anymore, not under that name," said Detective Paul Henderson, of the Hamilton Police Fugitive Apprehension Unit.
Police news releases from the 1990s and the RCMP's "wanted" website say Billone's victim was a nine-year-old girl he'd assaulted over the course of three years prior to the abuse being reported to police.
The police information also noted he was suspected of other sexual assaults targeting a friend of the girl.
He was arrested, appeared in court and released on a recognizance, but failed to turn up for court in December 1991. The warrant for his arrest was expanded Canada-wide in 1995, Henderson explained Tuesday, but it was to no avail.
Police believe Billone is alive, has assumed another identity, and is living elsewhere in Canada. He has family connections in Manitoba and New Brunswick.
Henderson said family members — estranged from Billone since the charges — have offered police some information that suggests he's alive.
"If he's dead, he hasn't died under his name or in this country," Henderson said, explaining that Billone's fingerprints are on file.
Billone is described as white, 5-foot-7, and 150 pounds with a skinny build. At the time of his disappearance, he had tattoos on both arms, including a cross and an animal on his right arm. He also has a scar on his upper torso.
The case was brought to the "front burner" because detectives succeeded a few weeks ago in tracking down witnesses in the case — and they and the victims want the case resolved.
"They still express a desire to prosecute the matter," Henderson said. "We will keep looking for him."
Anyone with information is asked to call the Hamilton Police Fugitive Apprehension Unit 905-546-8911 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.
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Thoughts? I knew about this case previously from the RCMP (Royal Canadian Mounted Police) Most Wanted website but it just got new articles in the past few hours. Since authorities still think he's in Canada, it's going to have to be up to us readers in Canada to take him down.
www.thespec.com/news-story/4644561-hamilton-police-seek-man-wanted-for-23-years-in-child-sex-assault/
UPDATE from site admin: As of July 29th, 2018, Billone is still listed on the RCMP website as one of their most wanted fugitives: www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/wanted/charles-peter-billone
Admin Note: If you have any news-related updates on this case, please contact us here: amwfans.com/thread/1662/website-contact-form
