Fugitive charged with sex crimes against three minors found in Mexico and returned to Riverside County

RIVERSIDE – A fugitive charged with 65 felonies involving sex crimes against three minor victims was found by the DA’s Fugitive Apprehension Unit in Mexico and has been returned to Riverside County to face the charges.

Harry Arlington Durette, DOB: 10-7-46, formerly of San Jacinto, was arrested on March 8, 2022, in Rosarito, Mexico. He was transported later that day from the border by authorities to the Southwest Detention Center in Murrieta where he was booked and held in lieu of $1 million bail.

Durette is scheduled to be arraigned on March 10, 2022, at the Southwest Justice Center.

In August 2020, Durette was arrested and charged with lewd acts on a child. He was able to post bail and was out of custody.

DA Investigator Mike Riley continued the investigation and found evidence that Durette had sexually assaulted two more underage victims. In November 2021, an amended complaint adding the new crimes was filed against Durette charging him with a total of 65 felonies involving three minor victims. With the allegation of multiple underage victims, Durette faces a potential sentence of life in prison if convicted as charged.

Durette failed to appear on the date of his preliminary hearing in October 2021. A $55,000 bench warrant was issued and held until Nov. 17, 2021, when he again failed to appear in court. On that date, a $1 million warrant was issued by a judge.

In December 2021, the Fugitive Apprehension Unit was asked to assist in locating the wanted defendant. DA Investigator Ryan Oakley developed leads and determined Durette to be in Mexico. With the assistance of the U.S. Marshal’s Pacific Southwest Regional Fugitive Task Force, Durette was found in Rosarito and arrested.

Anyone with any information about this case or who may have been a victim of Durette is asked to contact DA Investigator Mike Riley at (951) 955-5666 or [email protected].

The case, SWF2007503, is being prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Nicole Cooper of the DA’s Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Unit.

The U.S. Marshal’s fugitive task force is comprised of senior investigators from the Riverside County DA’s Office, special agents from the California Department of Corrections & Rehabilitation, and inspectors with the United States Marshal Service.

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