BI arrests American fugitive in Dagupan City

Authorities arrested an American national wanted in his country for illegal drugs, gun possession, and parole violation, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) announced on Wednesday.

The BI identified the suspect as Larry John St. Clair, 45. He was arrested by members of the bureau’s Fugitive Search Unit (FSU) last January 20 in Dagupan City.

Information provided by the US embassy showed that in 2009, the California court convicted St. Clair for possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking; manufacturing 100 marijuana plants; and possession and transportation of stolen explosives.

St. Clair was sentenced to 64 months in prison but became eligible for parole after serving his term for 36 months.

BI Commissioner Jaime Morente said St. Clair, who is out on probation, was issued an arrest warrant by a US district court in Eastern California for violating the conditions of his release and fleeing to the Philippines.

A few months after his release on probation, authorities reported that he continued to engage in criminal acts such as grand theft of several properties as well as stealing the dog of a neighbor.

Morente said aside from being a fugitive who poses a risk to public safety and security, St. Clair will also be deported for being an undocumented alien, which stemmed from the revocation of his passport by the US government.

BI intelligence officer and FSU chief Bobby Raquepo said St. Clair has been hiding in the country since June 2015 or four years after the California court approved his petition for supervised release.

“He was also the subject of a blacklist order issued by the BI for possession of counterfeit visa extension stamps,” Raquepo said.                  /kga