SAN ANTONIO – A 48-year-old man accused of sexually assaulting a young woman was arrested Friday afternoon after being on the run for five months, according to U.S. marshals.
Leonard Willis was allegedly involved in sexually assaulting a young woman Oct. 3, 2014, at his home in Crystal Beach, Texas, authorities said.
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An arrest warrant was issued Jan. 2 for Willis after an investigation by the Galveston County Sheriff's Office. U.S. marshals said Willis fled Galveston County to avoid his arrest.
Members of the Lone Star Fugitive Task Force were contacted Tuesday by members of the Gulf Coast Regional Fugitive Task Force to help search for Willis in New Braunfels, authorities said.
U.S. marshals said task force officers saw Willis working Friday afternoon in the 700 block of North Interstate 35 on the east side of New Braunfels. Officers approached Willis and took him into custody without incident.
"This afternoon, the collaborative efforts between the Lone Star Fugitive Task Force, the Gulf Coast Regional Fugitive Task Force and the Galveston County Sheriff's Office resulted in the apprehension of a sexual predator who's been on the run for five months," said Robert R. Almonte, U.S. marshal for the Western District of Texas. "Due to the hard work of all the officers involved, Willis will finally see his day in court."
Willis is being held at the Comal County Sheriff's Office in lieu of $250,000 bond awaiting extradition to Galveston County, U.S. marshals said.