Man Hides From Authorities In Severn To Avoid Prison: Police

SEVERN, MD — Julio Alberto Anaya, 47, of Severn has been sentenced to 24 years in California State Prison and must pay more than $300,000 in restitution to the victims police say he sexually assaulted during a 21-year period. He also must register as a sex offender.

In December 1999, detectives with the City of Thousand Oaks Investigations Bureau Major Crimes-Sexual Assault Unit wrapped up a five-month-long investigation into allegations of Anaya committing lewd acts upon a child under the age of 14 years old.

During the investigation, detectives discovered Anaya had molested five different females ranging in age from six to 11 years old. In December 1999, detectives arrested Anaya for lewd acts upon a child under the age of 14 years old. The Ventura County District Attorney's Office then reviewed the case and filed 15 felony counts of lewd acts upon a child under the age of 14 years against Anaya, according to KEYT.

The Severn residents was released from custody after posting $250,000 bail, but then he failed to appear in court. The Ventura County Superior Court issued a $500,000 arrest warrant for Anaya who detectives learned had fled the country and returned to his native country of El Salvador, eventually returning to Maryland where he was using a different name and birthdate.

In June 2018, detectives reached out to the Anne Arundel County Police Department regarding Anaya. The Anne Arundel County Police Department’s fugitive apprehension team conducted surveillance on a residence in Severn where they believed Anaya was living. They positively identified him and arrested Anaya for the Ventura County warrant.

Since June 2018, Anaya has remained in the custody of the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office without bail. On Nov. 26, 2019, Anaya pleaded guilty to six felony counts of lewd or lascivious acts with a child and one count of lewd or lascivious acts with a child by use of force.