ELYRIA — A fugitive wanted for two decades by Texas law enforcement was arrested Friday, August 15, during an ongoing drug and human trafficking investigation conducted by the Lorain County Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies identified Manuel Aquiles Lobo, an El Salvadorian national, while monitoring known targets of the investigation. Lobo was wanted on a 20-year outstanding warrant from the Harris County Sheriff’s Office in Houston, Texas, for sexual assault.
Authorities said Lobo was in the company of another male with an extensive criminal history, including sexual assault and violent offenses. Both men had illegally entered the United States and traveled to Lorain County, where they were associating with individuals under investigation.
Due to the Texas warrant and federal detainers, both suspects were turned over to U.S. Border Patrol agents.
Lobo’s criminal history dates back to 1998, when he was convicted of a sexual offense against a child in Texas and deported to El Salvador the following year. In 2005, he was charged again in Harris County with sexual assault, but evaded capture until his arrest in Lorain County. Texas authorities are expected to initiate extradition proceedings to return him to Houston.
The Lorain County Sheriff’s Office said the investigation remains active and further details will be released when available.