Convicted Sex Offender Flees Michigan; Apprehended in Arizona

El Paso, TX – Michael Mazel, 38, of Michigan, was arrested yesterday by United States Border Patrol – Tucson Sector and the Arizona Department of Public Safety near Casa Grande, Arizona. An arrest warrant was issued for Mazel after he failed to appear for his court proceedings in Detroit, Michigan.

In February 2013, Mazel was arrested in Detroit, Michigan by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) for possession of child pornography and soliciting young children. Mazel was allowed to be released on a $10,000.00 bond and ordered to report to Pretrial Services. Mazel was set to be sentenced in Federal Court on January 22, 2014. Mazel failed to show up for his sentencing and a warrant was issued for his arrest. It was later revealed that Mazel absconded from his residence and cut off his ankle monitor.

In January 2014, the United States Marshals Service Detroit Fugitive Apprehension Task Force (DFATF) developed information that Mazel was in El Paso, Texas and requested the assistance of the Lone Star Fugitive Task Force (LSFTF). Task force members obtained information that Mazel stayed on the West side of El Paso near I-10 and Mesa and was traveling westbound towards Tucson, Arizona. The El Paso Border Patrol Sector put a “Be On The Lookout” (BOLO) for Mazel and his vehicle. On January 28, 2014, pursuant to the BOLO and information provided by the LSFTF, the Tucson Border Patrol Sector and the Arizona Department of Public Safety observed Mazel driving near Casa Grande, Arizona and initiated a traffic stop. Officers were able to positively identify Mazel and take him into custody without incident.

Mazel was booked into the Central Arizona Detention Facility by members of the U.S. Marshals Arizona WANTED Fugitive Task Force pending his extradition to Michigan.

Robert R. Almonte, United States Marshal for the Western District of Texas, states, “The quick response and collaborative effort of law enforcement played a key part in apprehending this fugitive. I want to thank everyone who was involved in taking this sexual predator off of the streets.”

Members of the Lone Star Fugitive Task Force: El Paso Police Department, El Paso Sheriff’s Office, Homeland Security Investigations, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, United States Border Patrol, Texas Department of Criminal Justice - Office of the Inspector General, Texas Department of Public Safety, El Paso District Attorney’s Office and the United States Marshals Service.