Fugitive Arrested in Costa Rica

David W. Welker, FBI Special Agent in Charge of the New Orleans Division, and St. Tammany Parish Sheriff Jack Strain announce the arrest of John Stanton Pearson, Jr. of Covington, Louisiana.

Pearson was arrested on September 18, 2010, in Manuel Antonio, Quepos, Costa Rica by the Organismo de Investigacion Judicial (Costa Rican Judicial Police), INTERPOL, and the Bureau of Diplomatic Service.

St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office obtained a warrant for Pearson’s arrest on September 15, 2008, on charges of sexual battery of a juvenile. The investigation led officers and agents to believe Pearson had fled the jurisdiction to avoid prosecution on these charges, and a federal fugitive warrant was issued on January 23, 2009. Further investigation in coordination with FBI Legat Panama City led the FBI to believe Pearson was in Costa Rica, which led to Pearson’s arrest.

Pearson will be held pending extradition to St. Tammany Parish.