A man who’s been on the run for nearly two decades after being charged with molesting multiple girls was apprehended in Maryland this month, California police said.

Ventura County Star reported that Julio Anaya was 29 when he was arrested in December 1999 for molesting five girls who ranged in age from 6 to 11. Facing 15 counts of lewd acts upon a child under the age of 14 years, Anaya reportedly posted $250,000 bond in April 2000 then failed to appear for a subsequent court date.

Ventura County police said Anaya, 47, was arrested in Severn, Maryland, on June 7. Local police flew to Maryland Monday so Anaya could be extradited and face charges in California, according to KTLA.

A month before his capture, police said detectives received word that Anaya had returned to his native El Salvador. They were also told that the fugitive had returned to the States and made home in Maryland, assuming a different name and date of birth.

California police contacted the Anne Arundel County Sheriff’s Department in June. KNBC reported that Maryland police surveyed Anaya’s Severn residence in the days leading up to his arrest.

In addition to his decades-old charges, Anaya was charged with failing to appear in court. He’s reportedly being held without bail.

A court date was scheduled for July 3.

[Featured image: Julio Anaya/Thousand Oaks Police Department]