Porn Peddler in the Parque

An alleged sex offender on the lam from California since 2007 was captured by Baja California state police early Wednesday morning, September 30, in front of Parque de la Amistad in Tijuana’s Mesa de Otay neighborhood.

Agents of the state preventive police (a special unit of the Baja California department of public security) arrested Thomas Michael Benhoff, 53, “thanks to an anonymous tip,” according to Tijuana news outlets.

Mexican authorities earlier had been advised by U.S. officials that Benhoff might be living in Baja California. He faces a California arrest warrant as a “sexual offender.”

State police officers who apprehended Benhoff confirmed he was a fugitive from justice in the U.S. at the time of his arrest. The officers said they found Benhoff carrying a small suitcase containing two hard discs with child pornography, 29 compact discs with child pornography, a camera, some marijuana, and a folder outlining his criminal record.

Investigators said Benhoff told them he had more pornographic material at his home in Ensenada and allegedly offered to pay a bribe of about $85 for his release. Benhoff was turned over to federal prosecutors to determine whether he would face trial in Mexico or be extradited to California to face charges.