Fugitive wanted for child rape in Watertown found hiding in Texas shack

March 6, 2020
Mike Tanner

WATERTOWN, S.D.—A fugitive suspected of sexually assaulting a child in Watertown has been arrested by local and federal authorities in Texas.

Thirty six year-old Roberto Alvarez is alleged to have sexually assaulted a five year-old at a residence in southwest Watertown in January. He fled before police got there.

Police secured an arrest warrant for Alvarez, and with the help of numerous law enforcement agencies in the Dakotas and Texas, they tracked Alvarez down to a shack (pictured) in Liberty County, Texas where he’d been hiding. That’s where he was arrested on Thursday.

He’s being held on a $250,000 cash only arrest warrant in Texas, and will eventually be transported back to Codington County to face charges of First Degree Rape and Aggravated Assault.