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Published on Thursday, March 19, 2026.
By the A.M. Costa Rica staff
The Judicial
Investigation Organization (OIJ) stated
the U.S. Department of Justice for the
Northern District of Texas issued an
international arrest warrant for
Patterson in connection with an alleged
$20 million fraud scheme. His arrest
followed the issuance of an Interpol Red
Notice requesting his immediate
detention.
Patterson was
taken into custody on Wednesday at 12:45
p.m. in a public area near his residence
in the La Ribera district, in Belén canton,
Heredia province.
Authorities said
the arrest was carried out in
coordination with the U.S. Embassy, the
FBI, Interpol and OIJ.
Osvaldo Ramírez,
director of Interpol’s office in Costa
Rica, said authorities remain committed
to working with international agencies
to locate and apprehend fugitives.
“Costa Rica is not
a haven for criminals, and we will take
all necessary actions to find fugitives
hiding in the country, arrest them, and
bring them before the authorities who
have issued warrants for their arrest,”
Ramírez said.
According to the
OIJ, Patterson has been living in Costa
Rica since 2016. Authorities allege he
led a criminal organization that
operated multiple websites used to
commit fraud.
Investigators said
the group’s platforms defrauded
approximately 60 victims, all U.S.
citizens. The alleged crimes occurred
between August 2016 and September 2023,
while Patterson was residing in Costa
Rica.
Patterson is
currently being held at the Immigration
Apprehension Center in San José as
authorities complete the extradition
process to the U.S.
Officials declined
to release additional details, citing
the confidentiality of the
investigation. The OIJ said only family
members are authorized to request
further information.
The OIJ urged the
public to report individuals suspected
of hiding in Costa Rica under an Interpol Red
Notice. Tips can be
submitted confidentially by calling the
10-digit hotline at 800-8000-645 or the
fast line at 11-76, where bilingual
agents are available in English and
Spanish.
According
to the U.S. Embassy’s website, American
citizens arrested abroad are entitled to
consular assistance. Once notified by
Costa Rican authorities, a U.S. consular
officer visits the detainee to check on
their well-being, review the conditions of
the arrest and
provide information on local legal
procedures, including a list of attorneys.
If
requested, consular officials may also
notify family members or friends, help
facilitate the transfer of funds for legal
or living expenses, and serve as liaisons
with relatives.
However,
the embassy notes that consular officers
cannot act as attorneys, provide legal
representation or
influence the release of arrested U.S.
citizens.
For
detainees facing lengthy prison terms,
consular officers are required to conduct
visits at least once every three to four
months.
The
case is one of several involving foreign
nationals arrested in the country due to
international Red Notices. Earlier this month,
Costa Rican authorities extradited a
Syrian national wanted by the United
States on allegations of human
trafficking and migrant smuggling.
The Judicial Investigation Organization (OIJ), which operates under Costa Rica’s Supreme Court of Justice, is responsible for conducting criminal investigations nationwide and holds police authority throughout the country. ------------
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