A fugitive sex offender wanted by Pennsylvania State Police was arrested in Florida after authorities said they found him living in the woods.
by JESSICA A. BOTELHO | The National News DeskFugitive sex offender found living in the woods in Florida arrested, authorities say A fugitive sex offender wanted by Pennsylvania State Police was arrested in Florida after authorities said they found him living in the woods.
The U.S. Marshals Service Eastern Pennsylvania Violent Crime Fugitive Task Force on Wednesday said 46-year-old Joseph Christopher Mazzoni was taken into custody with help from the Florida Caribbean Regional Fugitive Task Force.
"The U.S. Marshals Service has zero tolerance for sexual predators preying on children," Eric Gartner, who is the U.S. Marshal for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, said in a news release obtained by The National Desk. " "As Mr. Mazzoni learned, going entirely off of the grid in a different state offers no respite from the relentless pursuit of justice," Gartner added.
Fugitive sex offender found living in the woods in Florida arrested, authorities say Mazzoni, a twice convicted sex offender who was previously convicted of possession of child pornography, was wanted for "dissemination of child sex acts" and "sexual abuse material," according to authorities.
"The conviction resulted in Mazzoni being categorized as a Tier 3 Sex Offender and carries a lifetime requirement to register residency under Megan’s Law," the release noted. Investigators said they suspected Mazzoni was "receiving assistance to avoid detection" before his arrest.
Fugitive sex offender found living in the woods in Florida arrested, authorities say U.S. Marshals said they found Mazzoni in Naples, where he was living in a wooded area at the time he was taken into custody. Photos from the scene show his arrest, as well as what appears to be a makeshift shelter.
Officials did not share details about how long Mazzoni had been in Florida or the circumstances leading up to his arrest, but said they had been searching for him since March 9. Mazzoni was taken to the Collier County Jail in Florida, where he awaits extradition back to Pennsylvania. He is expected to face charges related to his failure to comply with sex offender registration requirements.
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U.S. Marshals Capture Pennsylvania Sex Offender Living in Woods in FloridaJoseph Christopher Mazzoni, 46, had been wanted since March 9, 2022, by Pennsylvania State Police and the Pennsylvania Attorney General's Office for child pornography charges. He was captured by U.S. Marshals in Naples, Florida, and is awaiting extradition to Pennsylvania.
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