GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - Authorities say a fugitive who's been on the run for over 14 years was arrested Thursday in Green Bay after he was spotted shoveling snow.
Francisco Martinez was taken into custody by United States Marshals in the 1700 block of Chateau Drive on the city's west side.
Martinez was convicted in 1997 of multiple charges including first-degree sexual assault in Nebraska. While awaiting sentencing, Martinez fled the state.
Deputy Marshals received information that Martinez was living in the area and were conducting surveillance on him Thursday morning. With the help of the Green Bay Police Department, Martinez was arrested without incident.
Authorities say Martinez initially denied that he was a wanted fugitive, saying his name was Israel Chavez-Martinez. When confronted with additional information Martinez admitted his true identity. Martinez also says he fled to avoid a lengthy prison sentence and went to Mexico for a year.
Martinez told Deputy Marshals that he has been living in the Green Bay area for the past 13 years under an alias.
He's being held in the Brown County Jail until he is extradited back to Nebraska to face sentencing.
