Fugitive Apprehension Unit Nabs Sex-Crimes Perpetrator in Mexico with over 65 Felonies
Photo: Harry Arlington Durette
RIVERSIDE – When a fugitive was charged with sex crimes against three minors, then found over the border and returned to Riverside County, his history unfolded. Harry Arlington Durette (DOB: 10-7-46,) formerly of San Jacinto, and charged with 65 felonies – was found by the DA’s Fugitive Apprehension Unit in Mexico, then recently returned to Riverside County to face the charges.
Originally, when Durette was arrested and charged with lewd acts on a child, the result was his posting bail out of custody in August 2020. Further evidence found by DA Investigator Mike Riley pointed to sexual assault of two more underage victims.
With that, an amended complaint was filed November 2021 – with a total of 65 felonies with three minor victims. If convicted as charged, Durette faces a potential life-in-prison sentence.
The man out on bail failed to appear for the October 2021 hearing – leading to a $55K bench warrant with a November 17th deadline. Once again, a failure to appeal in court upped the warrant against him – to $1 million.
In December 2021, the Fugitive Apprehension Unit was asked to assist in locating the wanted defendant. DA Investigator Ryan Oakley developed leads and determined Durette to be in Mexico.
An assist from the U.S. Marshal’s Pacific Southwest Regional Fugitive Task Force (comprised of senior investigators from the Riverside County DA’s Office, special agents from the California Department of Corrections & Rehabilitation, and inspectors with the United States Marshal Service,) Durette was found in Rosarito and arrested on March 8, 2022, in Rosarito, Mexico.
Durette’s transport later that day from the border by authorities to the Southwest Detention Center in Murrieta culminated in his booking, and kept in lieu of $1 million bail. Durette’s arraignment was slated for March 10, 2022, at the Southwest Justice Center.
Anyone with any information about case #SWF2007503 (prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Nicole Cooper of the DA’s Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Unit) or who may have been a victim of Durette is urged to contact DA Investigator Mike Riley at (951) 955-5666 or MikeRiley@rivcoda.org.
