A Charles County fugitive facing a string of sexual-offense counts involving a minor is now behind bars after deputies say they tracked him to Prince George's County. Jose Mercedes Pineda-Callejas, 45, of Riverdale, was arrested in Landover on May 21, then taken to the Charles County Detention Center, where authorities say he is being held without bond while prosecutors get their case ready.
Arrest Details And Agencies Involved
On May 21, members of the CCSO Judicial Services Section assigned to the U.S. Marshals Service Capital Area Regional Fugitive Task Force, along with detectives from the Criminal Investigations Division, located and arrested Pineda-Callejas in Landover, according to the Charles County Sheriff's Office. The release identifies Cpl. T. Rickard and Detective Nyamekye as the officers who made the grab. The sheriff's office says the arrest was carried out under an arrest warrant that was issued after a grand jury handed up indictments in late April.
Indictment And Court Records
Maryland court records show a Charles County grand jury returned indictments on April 24 charging Pineda-Callejas with multiple counts, including second-degree rape, sexual abuse of a minor, third-degree sexual offense, and second-degree assault. The filing lists his Riverdale address as 5418 54th Avenue and includes the case number associated with the April indictments. The records do not name the alleged victim, and prosecutors are expected to present their evidence at upcoming hearings.
Detention And What Comes Next
According to the sheriff's office, Pineda-Callejas was transported to the Charles County Detention Center and is being held without bond while the investigation continues. The county's facility page lists the detention center at 6905 Crain Highway in La Plata and describes it as the primary jail for pretrial inmates. The press release did not include any scheduled court dates.
Legal Stakes
Under Maryland law, rape in the second degree is a felony that can carry a sentence of up to 20 years in prison and, in some cases involving young victims, may come with mandatory minimum penalties, according to the Maryland Code. A conviction could also trigger sex-offender registration requirements and potential sentencing enhancements, depending on how the facts are ultimately proven in court.
Anyone with information about this case or the whereabouts of a wanted person is asked to contact Charles County Crime Solvers at 1-866-411-TIPS or submit an anonymous tip through the Crime Solvers portal or the P3Intel mobile app. Tips may be eligible for a reward and will be handled anonymously.
