A man from Hamilton who had been evading authorities since 1991 was apprehended by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in California earlier this month. Identified as Charles Peter Billone, aged 64, he had failed to show up in court after being released on a recognizance 35 years ago following his arrest on charges related to sexual assault and interference. According to ICE, Billone was wanted in Canada for sexual assault involving a child and had a criminal record that included theft, assault, and drug offenses.
In a recent statement, ICE announced that Billone, who had managed to elude law enforcement by assuming different identities, was now in custody awaiting deportation proceedings. The Hamilton police, in collaboration with the Crown’s office, have been actively involved in the case. Despite the developments, there are currently no plans for extradition proceedings.
A file photo from Billone’s 1991 arrest was released by the Hamilton Police Service, shedding light on his past encounters with the law. This latest development marks a significant breakthrough in a long-standing case that had remained unresolved for decades.