Facebook helps nab alleged child molester in Tijuana

On January 7, a Texas man wanted on various skipped warrants was apprehended while flipping hamburguesas at a shop in the Tijuana neighborhood of Las Playas.

Gilbert Sanchez Jr., 44 years of age and from El Paso, had been convicted in March 2011 of aggravated sexual assault and sentenced to 65 years in prison. Upon appealing the sentence and finding it upheld, he reportedly jumped bail and found his way to Las Playas.

According to Mexican newspapers, Tijuana police acted on a tip from U.S. authorities and found the alleged child molester through his Facebook page, from which his photo and other pertinent information were obtained. The info was confirmed by U.S. Marshals in San Diego and Mexican police arrested him without incident.

Using the alias Jesus Alberto Solis-Arellano, Sanchez allegedly made the Facebook posting to announce his arrival as a new chef in Las Playas.

After immigration authorities denied he had a right to stay in Mexico, he was turned over to U.S. authorities and is (most likely by now) behind bars in San Diego Central Jail. According to the U.S. Marshals website, bail for Sanchez is set at $1,000,000.

Sources: La Frontera, El Mexicano