April 2 Update: The 23rd Judicial District Attorney's Office said in an April 2 statement that the office had incorrectly said it was unaware Jorge Campos had removed his ankle monitor until a judge informed them in court.
It was later confirmed that Douglas County Pre-trial Services sent an email to the office the prior night and had also informed the Castle Rock police department.
"Our office is reviewing this as an opportunity to strengthen internal communication processes and ensure timely awareness of critical information moving forward," the release said.
Campos' sentencing is set for May 29.
Denver7's original story continues below.
DOUGLAS COUNTY, Colo. — A convicted child predator who fled Douglas County prior to sentencing is now back in custody, according to the 23rd Judicial District Attorney's office.
Jorge Campos, 45, was arrested over the weekend at a gas station about 20 miles from the Mexican border in New Mexico and is expected to be extradited to Colorado in the coming days.
Prosecutors said during a Monday news conference their search for Campos began after the man skipped court in Douglas County on the day he was supposed to hear his guilty verdict on five counts of sexual assault on a child.
A search of his home that day revealed Campos had cut off his ankle monitor and fled.
On Saturday, New Mexico State Patrol shared information with Colorado law enforcement showing Campos leaving a hotel in a small town in the state, but his whereabouts were unknown.
Using what District Attorney George Brauchler described as "super aggressive, awesome law enforcement techniques and tactics," authorities were able to track Campos down to a bus at an Allsup's convenience store in Chaparral, New Mexico.
In a news release earlier Monday, Tom Mustin, a spokesperson for the 23rd Judicial District Attorney's Office, said a Denver-area viewer recognized him from news coverage and called 9-1-1 upon seeing him board a bus headed toward Mexico.
During Monday's news conference, Brauchler said Campos "had some sort of work authorization" that allowed him to work in the U.S., "but no legal status to be here."
Brauchler also said law enforcement was not notified of Campos' escape until he did not show up in court. He blamed the lack of timely response from the device's supplier, Douglas County Community Justice Services, as one of the reasons Campos made it as far as he did.
- Douglas County officials provided a few more details about the case Monday. Watch in the video player below:
Campos was found guilty on those five counts for repeatedly assaulting his girlfriend's daughter beginning in 2021 when she was 11 years old, according to Mustin.
He originally faced up to life in prison for the child sex assault counts. It’s unclear what new charges will be added to his sentencing after fleeing a scheduled court appearance.
Denver7 reached out to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement regarding Campos' immigration status and history. While the agency was not able to provide immediate information, a spokesperson confirmed Campos was on their radar.
Denver7 also reached out to Douglas County Community Justice Services regarding Campos' ankle monitor to better understand its monitoring procedures.
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