Salvadoran Man Wanted for Child Sex Abuse Caught Fleeing at Dulles Airport

Customs and Border Protection agents arrested the suspect before he could board a flight to El Salvador.

Published on Feb. 8, 2026

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Nelvis Gonzalez Purdencio, a 43-year-old Salvadoran man, was arrested at Dulles Airport last week while attempting to flee the country. Purdencio had an outstanding warrant for felony child sex abuse in Montgomery County, Maryland, and was already in the country illegally with deportation orders since 2005.

Why it matters

This arrest highlights the collaborative efforts between law enforcement agencies to apprehend wanted fugitives, especially those accused of crimes against vulnerable victims like children. It also demonstrates the role of Customs and Border Protection in helping to bring justice to victims of sexual assault.

The details

Purdencio was caught by Customs and Border Protection agents at Dulles Airport just before he could board a flight to El Salvador. He had an outstanding warrant for sexual abuse of a minor in the third-degree in Montgomery County, Maryland, in addition to being in the country illegally with deportation orders since 2005.

  • Purdencio had deportation orders since September 2005.
  • Purdencio was arrested at Dulles Airport last week while attempting to flee the country.

The players

Nelvis Gonzalez Purdencio

A 43-year-old Salvadoran man wanted for felony child sex abuse in Montgomery County, Maryland.

Customs and Border Protection

The federal agency that arrested Purdencio at Dulles Airport before he could board a flight to El Salvador.

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What they’re saying

“This arrest illustrates how Customs and Border Protection officers help victims, including our most vulnerable victims of sexual assault, to have a voice by working with our law enforcement partners to capture and return wanted fugitives to justice.”

— Christine Waugh, CBP's D.C. Port Director (wmar2news.com)

What’s next

Purdencio will be extradited to Montgomery County, Maryland to face the charges for felony child sex abuse.

The takeaway

This case demonstrates the importance of collaboration between federal and local law enforcement agencies to apprehend wanted suspects, especially those accused of crimes against vulnerable victims. It also highlights the role of Customs and Border Protection in helping to bring justice to victims of sexual assault.