A former Leggett man who fled Mendocino County in the face of child molestation and drug charges has been arrested in Cambodia, where he had been running a beachfront cafe, the Cambodia Daily has reported.
John Roland Stahl, 66, is among the "most wanted" criminals featured on the Mendocino County Sheriff's website.
Mendocino County Sheriff Tom Allman said Wednesday he's pleased by the arrest.
"I'm anxious to get him into our jail and allow the criminal case to proceed," he said.
Stahl is wanted on warrants issued for charges filed in 2005. They include three counts of misdemeanor "annoying or molesting" a child under the age of 18. He also is wanted for failure to register as a sex offender and failure to appear in court.
The Cambodia Daily reported that the U.S. Embassy in Phnom Penh requested Stahl's arrest. He was arrested July 20 at his apartment in Buon commune. Stahl had been living in Cambodia for about four years and is an owner of Cafe Noir in Sihanoukville, according to the Cambodia Daily.
A group that monitors child sex abuse — Action Pour Les Enfants — had begun monitoring Stahl about a year ago when another group that works with children reported it had suspicions about the American, the publication reported.
In addition to three misdemeanor child molestation charges, Stahl was charged in 2005 with multiple drug-related felonies, including possession of LSD, encouraging a minor to use or distribute LSD, possession of marijuana for sale, transportation of marijuana, furnishing marijuana to a minor and hiring a minor to deliver marijuana or providing a minor with marijuana.
Stahl previously had been charged in 2000 with planting and cultivating marijuana, possession of marijuana for sale and fraudulently obtaining aid, according to Mendocino County Superior Court records.
He pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor count of fraudulently obtaining aid in connection with that case, according to court records.
(You can reach Staff Writer Glenda Anderson at 462-6473 or glenda.anderson@pressdemocrat.com)
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