Filipino American fugitive Dominic Mamaat, who faces rape and other charges in New Windsor, New York, was arrested at John F. Kennedy International Airport as he arrived from the Philippines, where he had been hiding from US authorities for the past five years. FILE PHOTO (Photo for illustration only)
NEW YORK – A Filipino American fugitive accused of rape in New Windsor, New York, was arrested at John F. Kennedy International Airport as he arrived from the Philippines, where he had been hiding from US authorities for the past five years.
Dominic Mamaat, 46, was taken into custody last week by a team from the New Windsor Police Department (NWPD), the FBI Hudson Valley Safe Streets Task Force( HVSSTF) and the Department of Homeland Security “after a lengthy multi-agency fugitive investigation,” according to NWPD.
Mamaat faces rape, sexual abuse, endangering the welfare of a child, attempted assault and other charges, NWPD said. He was first arrested in May 2020, then indicted three months later
In August 2020, Mamaat used his twin brother’s passport to board a one-way flight to the Philippines and had since been hiding in the country, evading law enforcement.
The Philippine Bureau of Immigration Fugitive Task Force was able to locate Mamaat with assistance from the FBI HVSSTF and the Interpol, which issued a red notice for the Fil-Am fugitive, the NWPD said.
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Following his Aug. 29 arrest at the JFK airport, Mamaat was transported to Orange County jail in New York pending his arraignment at the Orange County Court.
In a statement, New Windsor Town Supervisor Stephen Bedetti commended the multi-agency team for their “outstanding dedication, coordination and tireless efforts” in locating and arresting Mamaat.
“This case represents years of collaborative law enforcement work across international borders, and its resolution is a testament to the commitment of all involved to protecting our community,” Bedetti said.
