Germantown man arrested at airport while trying to flee country
Gaithersburg, MD – A Germantown man wanted for alleged sexual abuse of a child was stopped just steps from leaving the United States when federal officers arrested him at Washington Dulles International Airport as he attempted to board an international flight.
Nelvis Gonzalez Prudencio, 43, was taken into custody February 1 after U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers flagged him at Dulles while he was preparing to fly to El Salvador. Authorities said an active arrest warrant connected to a Montgomery County child sexual abuse investigation triggered the detention.
The case dates back to October 18, 2021, when investigators began reviewing a report from a child under the age of 12 who alleged sexual abuse by a family member. Detectives determined the most recent incident occurred roughly one year before the disclosure, according to officials.
Following the investigation, Montgomery County detectives identified Gonzalez Prudencio as the suspect. An arrest warrant charging him with sexual abuse of a minor and third-degree sexual offense was issued on November 22, 2022. Authorities said Gonzalez Prudencio agreed to surrender to police days later but never appeared.
The warrant remained active in the National Crime Information Center database and was still in effect when Gonzalez Prudencio was identified at the airport more than three years later. Federal officers verified the warrant before taking him into custody prior to boarding.
Gonzalez Prudencio is currently being held in Loudoun County, Virginia, while he awaits extradition back to Maryland to face the charges.
Key Points
- A Germantown man was arrested at Dulles Airport while attempting to leave the country
- The arrest stems from a child sexual abuse investigation dating back to 2021
- The suspect is being held in Virginia awaiting extradition to Maryland