Man Accused of 60 Sex Assault Counts on Pacifica Youth

PACIFICA, CA – A man wanted in connection to the alleged repeated sexual abuse of a minor in Pacifica has surrendered to authorities and is awaiting extradition to San Mateo County, police said Thursday.

According to Pacifica police, the agency first began investigating Pedro Diaz Morales in June when the alleged abuse was first reported to the department.

"Due to the cases’ complexity, the investigation was taken over by Police Detectives," police said in a news release. "Through investigation it was discovered that the 36 year-old suspect, Pedro Diaz Morales, had sexually assaulted the minor victim numerous times over the course of a year."

Authorities ultimately secured an $8 million arrest warrant for Morales, accusing him of 60 counts of sexual assault, police said.

Officials soon learned, though, that the suspect had fled to Mexico, where he is originally from. Working with the U.S. Marshal's Service and Mexican authorities, investigators located the suspect, police said.

"On [Tuesday] Morales surrendered to law enforcement and was taken into custody by US Marshals on the Tijuana, Mexico border," police said. "The Pacifica Police Department is working with our law enforcement partners to arrange transportation of Morales to San Mateo County for trial."

The investigation is ongoing, police added.

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(Image courtesy: Pacifica Police Department)