Lawton Fugitive Who Fled to Honduras Sentenced to 30 Years Per Count in Child Sex Abuse Case

A Lawton man who skipped his own sentencing and fled to Honduras learned Tuesday that the case followed him back. Joaquin Alvarado, 37, pleaded guilty in Comanche County District Court on Jan. 14, 2025, to first-degree rape of a victim under 12, lewd or indecent acts to a child under 12, and child sexual abuse. When he failed to appear for his April 1 sentencing hearing, authorities say he had already left the country.

The Comanche County District Attorney’s office spent seven months working to bring Alvarado home. District Attorney Kyle Cabelka credited a confidential informant who stayed in contact with Alvarado and passed information to investigators, along with Assistant District Attorney Madeline Vasquez and U.S. Marshal Andy Moon. Alvarado was arrested on a local warrant and returned to Lawton in early June.

On Tuesday, District Judge Grant Sheperd sentenced Alvarado to 30 years with the Department of Corrections on each count, with eight years to serve and 22 years suspended per count. The case involved two sisters who were sexually abused, and it ended with the man responsible back in an Oklahoma courtroom. What questions do you have about how cases like this move through our local courts? Let us know in the comments.