Bernalillo, N.M. (KJCT) – A man wanted in Montrose County, Colorado, for charges of child sexual assault, child prostitution, and indecent exposure has been apprehended by U.S. Marshals in New Mexico. The fugitive, identified as Zachary Kyle Baca, was taken into custody following a multi-jurisdictional manhunt.
Tracking the Fugitive
Law enforcement agencies learned on November 14 that Baca was traveling through New Mexico along Interstate 40 in a vehicle tied to him. The U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) deployed its New Mexico-Southwest Investigative Fugitive Team to locate him.
Around 3 p.m., the team identified Baca driving the vehicle, accompanied by a female associate and two young children. Concerns for the safety of the passengers, including the children, led to a cautious surveillance operation.
The vehicle eventually stopped at a gas station off Interstate 25 in Bernalillo, New Mexico. Marshals arrested Baca as he exited the gas station without incident.
Collaborative Efforts
The arrest was the result of coordination between multiple agencies, including:
- Montrose Police Department
- Colorado Bureau of Investigation
- New Mexico State Police
- Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office
- U.S. Marshals Service
Montrose Police Chief Blaine Hall emphasized the importance of this collaboration. “Interagency cooperation, as in this example, greatly improves public safety and prevented further harm to the victims, or potential victims, in this investigation.”
Aftermath of the Arrest
Baca was transported to the Bernalillo County Metropolitan Detention Center, where he is being held as an out-of-state fugitive. Authorities released the woman traveling with Baca and the two children shortly after his apprehension.
“This is another great example of the effectiveness of our fugitive task forces across the country,” stated Kirk Taylor, U.S. Marshal for the District of Colorado. “Their efforts safely brought this fugitive into custody.”
The arrest underscores the importance of multi-agency efforts in capturing individuals accused of crossing state lines to evade justice, particularly in cases involving vulnerable victims.
