U.S. Marshals, with the help of Archuleta County Sheriff’s Office personnel, arrested a man Monday for sex offender-related offenses who has been evading capture for about five years.
According to ACSO Undersheriff Rich Valdez, the U.S. Marshals Service contacted the ACSO, indicating that a sex offender who had failed to register in New York state may be hiding out within the ACSO’s jurisdiction.
So, Monday, June 10, ACSO Det. Brandon Bishop accompanied the U.S. Marshals to an address in Aspen Springs Unit 6 where they believed the suspect was living, Valdez said.
At that address, Valdez explained, authorities determined that the man was living there, but was not home at the time. The authorities then searched the town and county, following up on leads, until they determined the suspect was working downtown, doing house renovations.
At that point, Valdez continued, Deputy John Martin was called to assist, the man was positively identified and was taken into custody without incident.
The man, Todd Paradise, 45, had been going by the alias Todd O’Hara, Valdez said, and was possibly in the area five years, though the exact time he has been in Archuleta County is unknown.
Paradise was arrested for failing to register as a sex offender in Colorado, with Valdez adding that potential charges of failing to register and grand larceny are pending out of New York state.
“It’s just nice to be able to work with the U.S. Marshals Service,” Valdez said, calling the agency “a great asset.”
Paradise is currently being held in the Archuleta County Detention Center without bond.
randi@pagosasun.com
