FL Fugitive Found In Spain 12 Years After Child Porn Charges: DOJ

MIAMI, FL — A fugitive on the run for more than 12 years was extradited to Florida, where he appeared in court on child pornography charges last week, according to federal officials.

Carlos Blanco, 71, was indicted on charges of possessing and distributing child pornography in November 2010, the U.S. Department of Justice said in a news release. Blanco, who was expected to plead guilty, was supposed to appear in court in February 2011 but never showed up, authorities said.

A federal judge issued an arrest warrant for Blanco, who was designated a fugitive the next day, according to the Department of Justice.

According to a criminal complaint obtained by the Miami Herald, Blanco admitted to authorities before his indictment to using his computer to watch and download videos and photos of child sexual acts. Authorities also found videos of young girls being raped, the Herald reported.

Blanco — a citizen of the United States, Honduras and Cuba — was arrested by Spanish authorities in March 2023 at the request of U.S. officials. Blanco lived in Spain for less than a year, authorities said, after spending 11 years on the lam in Honduras.

"U.S. Attorney Lapointe extends his gratitude to FBI Miami's Crimes Against Children and Human Trafficking Task Force and the government of Spain for making the extradition possible, as well as OIA for its significant assistance in securing the defendant's extradition," a Department of Justice release said. "The U.S. Attorney also extends his gratitude to the Spanish Civil Guard and Interpol for their assistance in capturing this fugitive and in bringing him back to the United States."